Business Hours

In an Islamic nation with a British colonial past, the definition of the 'working week' varies. In the former British Federated States, it runs from Monday-Friday and Saturday morning. However, the formerly semi-autonomous states of Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu and Kelantan retain the traditional half-day on Thursday and are closed on Friday, not Sunday. Every first and third Saturday is when government offices and banks are closed.

The working day begins at 8am and ends at 4.30pm with time off on Friday from noon-2.30 pm for communal prayers at the mosque.

Most private businesses stick to the nine-to-five routine. Shops starts to close at 6pm, but large supermarkets, department stores and shopping malls are open 10am-10pm.