If you’re an expat planning on being in Malaysia for a while, or if you’re already here and still adjusting, Akanksha Madiraju has some tips and insights for you that will undoubtedly come in handy.

1. Browse through online shopping portals

Lowyat is a local Malaysian online technology portal whose forums contain information on everything under the sun, including but not limited to real estate, lifestyle, parenting, fashion, health and hobbies.

To get your fashion fix, head over to Zalora to pick from a number of local and international clothing, footwear and accessories brands for men and women. Lazada is Malaysia’s Amazon, where you can find great deals on electronics and household items.

For buying and selling anything like cars, houses, furniture and electronics, head to Mudah. Here you can find a huge inventory of new and used goods.

2. Visit local chain stores for cheap goods

Malaysian chain stores like Hanifa, Mydin and Giant offer everything under one roof, from electronics to groceries to household utilities and much more. They are also quite cost effective, and feature frequent deals and discounts throughout the year. Hanifa even lets you buy duty-free gold and confectionery!

3. Get your groceries delivered to you

For those days when you don’t have the energy to brave the traffic and the crowds to go to the supermarket, Malaysia offers grocery home delivery. The biggest player is Tesco, which has outlets across all major cities. You can choose from the available delivery slots for the week, but you might have to wait till the next day to get your groceries.

For same day or next hour delivery, download the Happyfresh app. They deliver in KL, and you can choose from a list of stores in your area.

They offer next hour delivery for only RM8, and their operating hours are from 10 am to 10 pm. You can pay online or in cash. You can also buy wines from Winetalk Malaysia using the Happyfresh app, and have a bottle of bubbly delivered within the hour.

4. Buy a Touch and Go card

This is a prepaid smartcard, which features contactless technology, and can be used as a mode of payment at highway tolls, parking lots, movie theatres, convenience stores, select hotels and retail stores.

The card costs RM10.60 and can be topped up to a maximum value of RM1500. You can buy this card at petrol stations, highway sales counters LRT stations and third party agents, and you can top them up at most ATMs, petrol stations, and highway toll booths.

5. Apply for an I-Kad

The i-kad is an form of identification issued by the immigration authorities to Employment Pass and Dependent Pass holders. This nifty little card serves as a substitute to carrying your passport around for identification.

You can also use it to apply for electricity, gas and internet connections. You can apply for this card at any time after your employment pass has been processed.

6. Download Grab or Uber

Grab and Uber are both app based car services and are widely available in all the major areas. They are a convenient and pocket friendly alternative to sometimes unmetered and unregulated cabs.

They also come up with frequent promotions and offer really good fares to and from KLIA. Both companies accept cash in Malaysia, so you don’t have to use your cards for payment.

7. Connect with locals to explore the real Malaysia

Withlocals.com connects expats, travellers and locals through a variety of unique travel and food experiences. Currently available in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Penang, Withlocals allows you to browse activities offered by local hosts.

Try a tour of a water village followed by a home-cooked meal, sleep in a cave, take a traditional cooking class or go on a food tour of the night markets- the possibilities are endless.

8. Use POS Malaysia to pay your bills

The POS Malaysia portal allows you to create a unique login and pay all your government bills – electricity, gas, internet, mobile and even some retail outlets – in one place. It saves you the hassle of paying each bill individually.

9. Get a local SIM card at the airport

When entering the country for the first time, don’t bother with getting an international SIM card. Major telecom providers like Digi and Maxis have outlets right outside the International Arrivals terminal, and offer pre-activated SIM cards at cheap rates.

Bonus Tip: Ask for the country list and IDD code to make overseas calls at an unbelievably low price, you just need to add the specific code to the number you wish to dial.

10. Ask for tourist discounts

Almost all major shopping malls have discounts for international tourists which an expat can easily take advantage of. All you need to do is go to the Information Desk and ask for the tourist discount brochure to see the full list of offers available at that mall.

The personnel will just note down your passport number and give you a tourist privilege card, and you’re good to go. They will not check for visa stamps so rinse and repeat as many times as you like. These cards generally have a minimum validity of seven days.

11. Look out for duty-free zones

Malaysia is a haven for shoppers looking to purchase duty free goods outside the airports. Zon Malaysia has many outlets across the country where you can do your duty free shopping, so you don’t need to run around the airport looking for bargains right before a flight.

For the full list of outlets, visit www.zon.com.my.

12. Other things to remember

• Get a 20% discount on KLIA Ekspres tickets when you buy online or at the airport using a Mastercard (RM40 instead of RM55 per trip)
• To get the best liquor deals, look for south Indian stores. They source their liquor from duty-free shops and their rates are 15-20% cheaper than others.
•  If you are travelling to Malaysia between June and October, do not forget to carry face masks for protection from the haze. Even short exposures can cause respiratory illnesses.