Landed property
Unsurprisingly, this is property with land, usually separated by walls or fences. Foreign buyers are able to purchase landed property in Malaysia. However, some local rules and regulations may apply, for instance, Selangor state requires that foreigners restrict purchases to landed properties which are gated and guarded. 

Shophouse
Shophouses are historic terraces, dating from the colonial era. They are usually two or three stories, originally with a shop on the ground floor and residential accommodation on the upper levels. A narrow street frontage may hide a deeper square footage within or an internal courtyard. Shophouses in Melaka and Georgetown, the capital of Penang, have helped secure a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site listing as examples of multicultural trading towns. Today, refurbished shophouses may be available for purchase or rent.

Bumiputera 
Also written as Bumiputra, this refers to a Malaysian of indigenous Malay origin, literally translating as son (putra) of earth or land (bumi). Bumiputras are allocated a “special position” under the Malaysian Constitution. Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution defines a Malay as a person who professes the religion of Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language, conforms to Malay customs and is the child of at least one parent who was born within the Federation of Malaysia (or Singapore) before the independence of Malaysia on 31 August 1957, or the issue (offspring) of such a person.

Torrens Land Registration System 
Malaysia operates a Torrens land registration system which was enacted under the National Land Code in 1965. Ownership of real property under this system is created by registration. Any subsequent transactions are registered against the title rather than a deed.

Economic Planning Unit (EPU)
Envisaged as the “nerve center of the nation”, this unit falls within the Prime Minister’s Department. Its self-prescribed mission is to manage the country's socio-economic development in a strategic and sustainable manner. Day-to-day approvals of property purchases by the EPU are no longer required, unless the acquisition specifically involves a dilution of bumiputera or government interests for properties valued at MYR 20 million or above.

Malaysia My Second Home Program (MM2H)
The MM2H program is a Malaysian government program to allow foreigners who meet certain criteria, to stay in Malaysia on a multiple-entry social visit pass. 

Units of measurement
Real estate in Malaysia tends to be measured in square feet (sq ft).

Local knowledge: Public Holidays
The Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia lists a number of holidays each year, at both the national and state level.

New Year
January 1 is a national holiday across Malaysia. The end of the year on 31 December is marked with street festivals, concerts and spectacular fireworks displays. Shopping malls are extremely busy with sales and festive decorations. In Kuala Lumpur, thousands gather at the Petronas Twin Towers to countdown to the new year.  

Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival in celebration of Hindu god Lord Murugan. The date of the festival varies each year, falling during the full moon in the tenth month of the Thai Hindu calendar and usually takes place between mid-January and mid-February. During this two-day festival, parades and other rituals are held at temples across Malaysia.  At the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur more than one million people gather on Thaipusam each year, many taking part in a dramatic procession to the statue of Lord Murugan baring symbols of fertility and faith. Thaipusam is a public holiday in the states of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang and Selangor.

Federal Territory Day
Malaysia has three federal territories: Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya. Federal Territory Day is held on the anniversary of the day in 1974 when Kuala Lumpur was transferred to federal control. In these three states the day is celebrated with various parades, cultural events, fireworks, and other patriotic games and contests.

Chinese New Year
According to Malaysia Government statistics, ethnic Chinese comprise almost a quarter of the total population of 31.7 million. It is unsurprising then that Chinese New Year is an important festival in Malaysia. Celebrated at the start of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the date varies each year - usually in January or February with two days of public holidays across most states. Chinese New Year festival involves meals with family and friends, dragon dances and the handing out of red ang pau packets of money for prosperity and luck. 

Labour Day
As in many other parts of the world, 1 May is a labour day public holiday.

Wesak Day
Wesak Day is the holiest day of the Buddhist calendar, with Buddhists around the world celebrating the life, death and enlightenment of Buddha. The date changes each year, but falls on the Sunday that is closest to May's full moon. Kuala Lumpur ends the day with a parade starting at the Buddhist Temple Maha Vihara.

Agong's Birthday
In Malaysia, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the king and head of state. Agong's Birthday is celebrated with a national holiday on the first Saturday in June each year. A Trooping the Colour parade takes place in Independence Square, Kuala Lumpur and other festivities and celebrations may continue over a week. 

Hari Raya Aidilfitr
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a holiday marking the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan. Muslims open their houses to family and friends for feasting and celebration. Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on the first day of the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. In Malaysia, there are two days of public holidays for Hari Raya Aidilfitri. 

National Day / Merdeka Day
31 August is National Day, commemorating the day in 1957 that the Federation of Malaya became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Malaysians celebrate their patriotism with parades and plenty of flag waving. 

Hari Raya Haji
This holiday, also known as Eid al Adha or the feast of sacrifice, is an important occasion in the Muslim calendar. The actual date varies by around 10 days each year, as it is based on a lunar system. Locals may spend the day visiting a mosque and sharing a meal with friends and family.

Malaysia Day
16 September is Malaysia Day, celebrating the establishment of the Malaysian Federation between Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore in 1963.

Awal Muharram
Awal Muharram celebrates the beginning of the Islamic New Year.  It is a time for reflection, quiet prayer and fasting.

Deepavali
Deepavali or Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights. Malaysians of all ethnicities may join in the celebrations, with open houses for feasting, fireworks and candles and other lights decorating the buildings, particularly in areas like Little India in Kuala Lumpur. 

Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Muslims celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, also known as Maulud Nabi in Malaysia, during the third month of the Muslim calendar, usually with readings of the Quran and other religious ceremonies. 

Christmas
Less than 10 percent of the population stated Christian as their religion in the 2010 Population and Housing Census of Malaysia, however many families in Malaysia do celebrate all the trappings of Christmas on December 25 each year. Houses and retail centres are decorated with lights and Christmas trees, families visit Santa Claus and at midnight in the capital there is a fireworks display. 

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