Malaysians’ tax haven is Pulau Langkawi and Labuan. Duty free are also found at Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubur both in Kelantan, and Padang Besar and Bukit Kau Hitam in Kedah. Interesting mix duty free shops can also be found at city centres and airports in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang.
WHAT AND WHERE TO BUY (Special things)
Pewterware
Exquisitely crafted pewter items include mugs, goblets, coffe sets, ashtrays, vases, figurines, clock, letter-opener and plaques. Leading names are Royal Selangor and Tumasek. They can be found at Hotel shopping arcades and shopping complexes.
Batik 
Batik combines wax brushing, dyeing, drying and boiling the material that may be silk, cotton, rayon or satin. Batik items include hats, scarves, ties, handkerchiefs, purses, kraftan, shirts, wrap-around skirts, sundresses, tablecloths, handbags, purses and paintings. The quality of batik varies greatly. Good quality batik is sold at large handicraft centres.
Songket
Songket is Malaysian brocade that is intricately handwoven with silver or gold threads. Rich and heavilyembroidered, the cloth makes superb evening gowns. Buy the material untailored and have it made to measure, or buy songket items such as handbags.
Pottery 
Sarawak pottery is ochre-coloured with bold geometric designs. Sayong pottery, from Perak, has the characteristic glossy black colour. There is even pottery, from Johor, which uses batik and gold thread for a distinctive look. Handicraft centres offer the best variety.
Gold
Gold is of high quality here, often 22K. items of traditional designs or avant garde are available. Jewellers are located at shopping complexes, hotels, duty free shops within the city centre.
Silk 
Silk from Cendering, Terengganu is of international quality and makes a good buy. Best bought at a handicraft centre or a specialty shop.
Brassware
Brassware items generally come from the cottage industries in Terengganu. Items include candle stands, vases, ashtray and plaques. Best bought at handicraft centres.
Silverwork 
Silverwork especially those from Kelantan, is exquisite. Items to buy are rose bowls, napkin holders, plaques and filigree jewellery. Handicraft centres are again the best choices to buy silverwork.
Woodcarvings
Woodcarvings, again, those from Kelantan or Terengganu, are of excellent workmanship. Wood figurines of the orang asli (aborigines) also make good buys. As these are bulky items, you can make arrangement with the stores to have them sent home. Shopping complexes stock a good range of such products.
Basketry 
Mengkuang leaves (screw pine) woven into tablemats, hats, bags and bedroom slippers make attractive and functional items. They are also inexpensive. Mengkuang products can be found at handicraft centres.
Food items
Check out the supermarket, grocery stores or night bazaar (pasar malam) for locally-product items such as tea, pepper, prawn crackers and instant food preparations.
Shopping By State
Kedah State
Bukit Kayu Hitam, the border town in the north (Kedah-Thailand) where you can pick up duty free goods. Among the duty free goods available here are cameras, watches, electric goods, perfumes, cosmetics, pens, lighters etc. 2.8.1 2.8.1(a)
Pekan Rabu, an open-air night bazaar, operates every day, from morning till midnight. You can pick up anything from local farm products to handicrafts 2.8.2
The major shopping centres are Kuah, Alor Setar and Sungai Petani. The ‘Pasar Malam’ or night market is the place where one can experience the thrill or bargaining
Shopping
Pulau Langkawi has acquired duty-free status and is thus popular with visitors. Take a walk along the main street in Kuah Town and you will see many duty free shops such as Langkawi Mall, Langkawi Fair Shopping Complex, Jetty point Duty Free, Saga Shopping Centre, Langkawi Duty Free (M) Sdn. Bhd., Zone shopping Paradise, Kamdar Shopping Centre and Idaman Suri. Batik products are available at Atma Alam Batik Art Village in Padang Amt Sirat. Electrical goods are available at duty-free shops in Kuah and some other hotels. Perfume, spritis and casual wear are best buy. Locally made handicrafts as well as the famous Langkawi marble items make good souvenirs to take home.
Johor State
Shopping
Shopping in Johor can be fun and also less of a strain on the budget. The various handicraft centres provide an interesting and tempting variety of items to choose from as sounenirs or gifts. Shops in the modern shopping complexes are equally competitive and offer irresistible bargains. If you are interested in pottery items, then the Aw Pottery factory and showroom in Air Itam is the place for you.
Plaza Pelangi
Its, Johor Bahru’s most exciting shopping mall, has a multitude of stores, which offer a wide array of value-for-money quality merchandise from handicraft itmes and souvenirs to a large selection of fashion apparel, accessories and trendy footwear. If hunger gnaws, head for the local eateries, patissererie or fast food outlets. The shooping mall is a mere 10-minute’s drive away from the causeway and is well served by taxis and regular bus services.
The Holiday Plaza
This modern shooping complex in Jalan Dato’ Sulaiman, Century Garden, has a unique design. Almost every tenant on its three floors has prime space opening out onto the pedestrian mall or the road. The complex also includes a large cinema, a medical centre, a nightclub, banks, a children’s playground, a hawker’s centre and a number of fast food outlets catering to shoppers.
Tun Abd. Razak Complex
The Tun Abd. Razak Complex is another modern shopping centre and is located along Jalan Wong Ah Fook in downtown Johor Bahru. It is the focus of activity for both shopping and business and houses a food court, shops, a supermarket and a snooker lounge.
Plaza Kota Raya
This extensive office and hotel complex covering an eleven acres sites is in the heart of Johor Bahru. This mammoth project is undertaken by the Johor State Economic Development Corporation and is considered to be a significant enhancement toward Johor’s economic growth and as an important business centre in the southern region of the country.
Pasir Gudang Town Centre Complex
Built in 1986, this complex is located in the hub of the Pasir Gudang town centre. Retail outlets within the complex offer a wide variety of clothing, leather products, stationery, opticals, electrical appliances and computers. Restaurants and food stalls on the third level serve a wide variety of local and western cuisine. Located about 32 km east of Johor Bahru, the complex is about 25 minutes drive from Johor Bahru.
Complex Lien Hoe
Approximately 5 km north of Johor Bahru, just off Jalan Tebrau, this well known budget shopping centre houses department stores, retail outlets, furniture showrooms and restaurants aplenty. A regular bazaar on the ground floor concourse offers a wide range of apparel, shoes, handbags, handicrafts and household items at bargain prices. The food court on the first floor offers food stalls with a wide variety of local cuisine.
Malacca State
Shopping Complex
Parkson Grand Mahkota Parade
Jln. Merdeka, Malacca
Jaya Jusco Store sdn. Bhd
Bukit Beruang, Malacca
Madam King’s (departmental)
126, 128, 133 jln. Nunga Raya, Malacca
Fajar Departmental Store & Supermarket Sdn. Bhd.
165, Jln. Hang Tuah, Malacca.
Great Wall Shopping Centre Sdn. Bhd.
Plaza Melaka
Gajah Berang Road, Malacca
Emporium Formosa Sdn. Bhd.
Bunga Raya Road, Malacca
Orchard Square
Off Ong Kim Wee Road, Malacca
City Bayview Hotel Arcade
Bendahara Road, Malacca
Duty Free
Melaka Duty Free Shop
Batu Berendam Airport 11.
Souvenirs
Handicraft Stalls
Taman Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, Malacca
Orang Utan House
No.59, Hang Jebat Road, Malacca
Jade House Jewellery Sdn. Bhd.
564, Taman Melaka Raya, Malacca
Malacca Souvenir House & Trading
22, Tokong Road, Malacca
Handicrafts
Handicraft Stores along Taman Road
Syarikat Pemasaran Karyaneka Sdn. Bhd.
1 Laksamana Road, Malacca
Handicraft Centre
Taman Mini Malaysia
Air Keroh Malacca
Antiques
K&S Antiques House
22, Hang Jebat Road, Malacca
Fatimah Antik Stor
46, Hang Jebat Road, Malacca
Klasik
25, Hang Jebat Road, Malacca
Abdul Company
79, Hang Jebat Road, Malacca
Kowloon Antiques Shop
38 Hang Jebat Road, Malacca
Perak State
Shopping
There are many modern shopping centres and supermarkets in Perak, especially in Ipoh and the major towns. Other places where you can pick up good bargains are at the pasar malam or night markets. These are street bazaars that stock everything from local handicrafts to folk medicine, from farm-fresh produce to casual wear.
Handicraft
traditional handicraft is a prominent cottage industry in Perak and is predominantly found in Kuala Kangsar. There are many handicraft centres, which sell local crafts such as labu sayong (earthenware), tekat benang emas (gold embroidery), bamboo carvings and seashell designs. The most popular centres are at Enggor, Kampung Berala, Kampung Padang Changkat and Kampung Kepala Bendang. However, you will be able to find well-stocked handicraft centres along every route you travel.
Local Fruits
A trip to Perak isn’t complete without a taste of pomelos and seedless guavas. Pomelos are seedless citrus fruits usually the size of a soccer ball, and are grown exclusively in the state. Other succulent fruits include seasonal rambutan, mangosteens, mangoes and durians.
Pasar Malam
Pasar malam is potpourri of sights and sounds, making it a fascinating experience of a truly Malaysian identity. Comprising makeshift stalls which stock anything from folk medicine and fresh fruits to household utensils and fashion wear, these night bazaars are treat for the sense and a paradise for bargain hunters.
Labuan State
Duty Free Shopping
Labuan is definitely a shoppers’ paradise. Being a free port, a wide range of items can be purchased cheaper than elsewhere. You can go to a posh shopping complex, jostle with bargain hunters during a cheap sale in department store or sweat it out in a night market. Textiles, jewellery, perfume, cosmetic, electrical appliances, sports equipment, kitchenware, alcohol and cigarettes are popular buys in the many department stores.
Labuan Market
The Labuan Market in the heart of Labuan town is a bustling place full of colours, sights, smells and sounds. A variety of local produce such as fruits, vegetables, fresh spices, fish, prawn and handicrafts are sold.
Kuala Lumpur (Major City)
Shopping
Shopping in Kuala Lumpur promises variety, value and convenience. There is a bewildering range of shopping establishments catering for every taste and budget, which includes modern air-conditioned shopping malls, department stores, hypermarkets, shopping arcades, specialty stores, handicraft centres, duty-free shops, bazaars and nightmarkets.
Among the items high on the shopping list of tourists are pewter, batik, duty-free items, electrical products, pret-a-porter attire, sportswear and handicrafts.
A novel experience for overseas visitors is the night markets or ‘pasar malam’ which begin their trading activities in the late afternoon. These open-air markets feature hawker stalls that sell a variety of local produce, foodstuff, clothing and cakes. Haggling is a common practice. Street artists and traditional medicine vendors are an entertaining sight here.
The shopping carnival, an annual sale held in October/ November in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities in Malaysia is an opportune time to pick up great bargains.
There are several principal shopping precincts in the city. The most popular is the area bounded by Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Imbi in the vicinity of the hotel belt. Other popular areas are Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Cheng Lock, Petaling Street, Jalan H.S. Lee and Bangsar.
Jalan Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang is indisputably one of the city’s foremost shopping districts offering a multitude of merchandise to suit every taste and budget. The cities major shopping outlets are located in this area namely Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Lot 10, Starhill Plaza and Kuala Lumpur Plaza.
Bukit Bintang Plaza
One of KL’s oldest shopping centres, Bukit Bintang Plaza still attracts the crowds with its offering of local and international goods comprising clothes, fashion and of local and international goods comprising clothes, fashion accessories, footwear, sports goods, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical products, computers and furniture.
Sungei Wang Plaza
Integrated with the adjacent Bukit Bintang Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza is a magnet for all shoppers in the city. This perennially popular shopping centre houses many retail outlets offering an incredible assortment of goods catering for all tastes and budgets.
Low Yat Plaza Shopping Centre
A stylish and well-integrated shopping mall, Low Yat Plaza jons the cream of favourite retail and entertainment establishments in the heart of Bukit Bintang offering a spectrum of fashion, food and family recreation as well as thematic concepts. The conceptual themes encompasses BB Chinatown and Computer City which offers the latest in computer paraphernalias. Alongside Low Yat Plaza is the reintroduction of BB Park which brings to life the wonderful yester-years and fond memories. BB Park features an outdoor beer garden, pizzaria, a food village, a tantalizing menu of local and international cuisines, local handicraft stalls and a potpourri of cultural performances nightly!.
Imbi Plaza
Located beside Sungei Wang Plaza along Jalan Imbi, this is the place for those who are interested in computer hardware and software. Take your time to check out the latest computer products at the numerous shops here.
Lot 10
This huge shopping mall with its distinctive green and blue striped façade caters to upmarket shoppers. Shoppers will have no problem finding their favourite branded designer items. Isetan is the anchor tenant.
Starhill Plaza
Adjacent to JW Marriot Hotel, Starhill Plaza is a stylish building with marble flooring and gilded banisters. It has six floors of retail outlets, mostly exclusive boutiques with the Tangs Department Store as the anchor tenant.
Kuala Lumpur Plaza
Sandwiched between Lot 10 and Starhill Plaza, KL Plaza is a good place to shop for exclusive watches, travelling bags, designer shoes and jewellery. Tower Records the huge music retail outlet located here is a treasure trove of audio-visual items for music buffs.
Jalan Raja Chulan/ Jalan Conlay
Close to KL Tower, the Weld is known for its fashionable boutiques, optical shops, textile retail outlets and perfumeries.
Complex Budaya Kraf
A handicraft complex at Jalan Conlay, it houses top names in local handicrafts. Here, you can look out for that chic batik outfit, ponder over the variety of home décor items, or delight in finding the perfect gift to bring back home! On the ground floor of the complex, you can dabble in some paints and wax to create your own batik piece. At the far end of the landscaped grounds is the artists’ colony where you can see artists at work or buy their paintings. The complex is equipped with visitor facillities, including telephone booths and a restaurant.
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
This stretch of road is flanked on both sides by pre-war buildings whose interesting facades have been preserved and re-adapted for modern businesses, mostly retailing. Walk through the archways of these shops for an immersion into a shopping and cultural experience that goes back several decades. Major shopping centres within this area are:
Sogo
A major landmark along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Sogo Department Store is modern and well patronised for its quality goods. The selective tenant mix includes fashion boutiques, house-hold furnishing, shoes stores, travel agencies, gift shops, cosmetic counters, jewellers and restaurants.
Nightmarkets
Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman is closed to traffic between 5pm-10pm every Saturday and transforms into a night market where petty traders and hawkers sell an assortment of goods in the open air. The nightmarket offers visitors an interesting place to walk through and perhaps pick up some casual attire, local products, clothing as well as sample some local delicacies.
Jalan Masjid India
Running parallel to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, this street is lined by shops selling Indian items such as sarees, sandlewood oil, bangles, silver anklets, gold jewellery, brassware and Indian silver tableware. Other items include religious materials, handicrafts, herbs and perfumed oils.
Jalan Ampang/ Jalan Tun Razak
Located within KL’s diplomatic enclave the Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak area is served by prestigious shopping complexes that boast international names as well as quality local products. Shoppers looking for upmarket merchandise will find numerous outlets here.
Suria KLCC
Located in the ultra-modern Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) the Suria Shopping Complex tops the list as one of the city’s trendiest and classiest shopping complex. Bright and cheery with a stylised logo of the sun from which it gets its name, Suria'’ neighbour is the majestic Petronas TWin Towers, currently the tallest in the world. Within the Suria’s gleaming multi-level floors are specialty shops, department stores, fashion boutiques, designer fashion houses, jewellers and duty-free shops bursting with an enormous range of products.
Ampang Park Shopping Complex
Situated across the road from City Square and Ampang Plaza, the Ampang Park Shopping Complex is one of KL’s earliest shopping centres. This is reflected in the fine and extensive assortment of goods and services offered, of which photographic items, costume accessories and apparel appeal to its shoppers.
City Square
Comprising a hotel, office building and shopping complex, City Square caters for the varied needs of the modern shopper. The shopping complex is situated at the bustling junction of Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak. Within its 2 milion sq ft of commercial area is a wide range of shops, which include beauty salons, art galleries, exclusive boutiques and travel agencies.
Ampang Plaza
Housed within this plaza is a wide selection of specialty stores offering goods ranging from designer items to products for daily needs. This shopping centre is part of an integrated complex together with the adjoining City Square Crown Princess Hotel.
Jalan Sultan/ Jalan Tun H.S. Lee
UDA-Ocean
Located near the Klang Bus Station, it offers a wide range of apparel, shoes, handbags and textiles at reasonable prices.
S&M Plaza
Located along the intersection of Jalan Tun H.S. Lee and Jalan Cheng Lock, this complex is another attraction of KL’s Chinatown with its many little shops offering a variety of goods from hair ornaments to clothing, textiles, shoes and handbags. There are also gift shops, music shops, bookshops and toy stores.
Sinarkota
Easily accesible from the Pudu Raya bus station, Sinarkota showcase a full range of quality goods from luggage to household products, children’s paraphernalia, shoes, pharmaceutical products, watches, textiles and accessories.
Petaling Street (Chinatown)
Located at the heart of KL’s bustling Chinatown, Petaling Street is the place to head for those who are interested in experiencing the excitement of bargaining for their purchases. Its popular night market is a daily feature. This is a good place to purchase Chinese artefacts like figurines, incense-holders, paintings, joss sticks and bric-a-brac. Other interesting items include herbs for traditional remedies and sweetmeats. Aged craftsmen at work in their shop houses can be seen producing goods such as lanterns, tin ware and calligraphy items along the streets. Shops here stock a variety of textiles, clothes, shoes and handbags. Petaling Street is also known for its jewellery shops with their fascinating variety of beautifully crafted gold items set with priceless gemstones.
Jalan Cheng Lock/ Jalan Pudu
Within walking distance of the Pudu Raya bus station, the lively Jalan Cheng Lock area has become the focus of shoppers who like to enjoy a mixed range of retail establishments-from shopping complexes to pre-war shop houses. Go there for an absorbing atmosphere as well as for some wonderful shopping.
Kota Raya
In the vicinity of Chinatown, Kota Raya has a wide range of shoes, handbags, clothing and textiles.
Central Market
Formely Kuala Lumpur’s principal ‘wet-market’, this bazaar-style arts and crafts centre offers a wide variety of works on sale by local artists and craftsmen. You can have your potrait sketched or browse through souvenirs on display or visit a traditional medicine shop.
Shaw Parade
Located at Jalan Changkat Thamby Dollah in Pudu, Shaw Parade attracts a steady stream of shoppers with its range of photographic wquipment, videos, home décor and specialty items.
Jalan Putra
The Mall
Strategically located across the street from The Putra World Trade Centre and the Pan Pacific Hotel, its wide concourse and high atrium with a cascading on the fringes-located on the outer limits of the city are several other equally attractive shopping complexes. Among there are:
Alpha Angle: a selection of fashion apparel, shoes, travelling bags and household items.
Pearl Point: sports gear, optical goods, fashion apparel, shoes and travelling bags.
Plaza Phoenix: family shopping for value-for-money goods.
Leisure Mall: for photographic items, cosmetics, clothings, fabrics, paintings and household equipment.
The Mines Shopping Fair: a venetian inspired complex.
Midvalley Megamall a wide range of shops, department stores and a hypermarket are located here.
Glass roof makes the mall a magnet for shoppers. It is a department store and supermarket. Active lifestyle stores, stocks a wide range of products.
Bangsar – Jalan Maarof/ Jalan Telawi
Bangsar
The affluent suburb of Bangsar has emerged in recent years as a popular shopping centre for its large expatriate community and the local residents. Bangsar is centrally located between the city and the municipality of Petaling Jaya, a mere 15-minute drive from the city centre. There are two modern shopping complexes, boutiques and attractively decorated shops selling a wide range of products such as antiques, furniture, textiles, cosmetics, household items, electrical goods and sports wear. Apart from shopping complexes, Bangsar’s appeal also lies in the wide choice of dining outlets and entertainment spots available, making it a magnet for social gatherings especially in the evening.
Duty Free Shopping
Duty-free shops are found at most shopping complexes, at the KL International Airport, Sepang and near the National Museum. Best buys are Malaysian batik and handicrafts, chocolates, perfumes, coemetics, jewellery, pocket calculators, hi-fi items, audio equipment, watches, cameras, cigarettes and liquors.
Hotel Shopping Arcades
A number of international standard hotels house shopping arcades catering to the needs of the discerning business and leisure travellers. These arcades offer a comprehensive selection of the latest designer goods from abroad as well as local designers. Apart from designer wear, custom made clothing and antiques are available. Gift shops, hair salons and travel agencies can also be found within these arcades.
