Cameron Highlands Cuti Cuti Malaysia

What the Programme Actually Is

The Malaysian Homestay Experience Programme was formed in 1995 under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and today covers more than 200 registered homestay villages spread across every state in the country. Guests stay directly with a host family, sharing meals and daily routines rather than staying in a separate guest unit, which is what sets a true homestay apart from a rented holiday home.

Why It Is Internationally Recognised

In 2012 the programme won the UNWTO Ulysses Award for Innovation in Public Policy and Governance, recognised as a model of community-based tourism where villagers earn supplementary income while visitors get an inexpensive, authentic alternative to hotel stays.

A Nation of Many Communities

Malaysia’s population is broadly made up of Malay, Chinese and Indian communities in Peninsular Malaysia, alongside dozens of indigenous groups in Sabah and Sarawak such as the Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Bidayuh. Islam is the official religion and Malay culture forms the national identity, but Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and traditional indigenous beliefs are all practised openly.

Festivals Belong to Everyone

One of the most distinctive parts of Malaysian culture is the “open house” tradition, where families celebrating Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or Christmas welcome friends and neighbours of every background into their home to eat together, regardless of their own religion.

Food as Common Ground

Hawker centres and food courts are where Malaysia’s cultures genuinely mix. It is completely normal to see a Malay family, a Chinese couple and a group of Indian friends sharing the same seating area, each ordering from a different stall, all part of the same everyday scene.

Respect for Elders and Hierarchy

Across all of Malaysia’s communities, respect for elders and authority is deeply embedded in daily life, from using both hands to pass or receive something from an older person, to addressing strangers with polite honorifics like “Encik”, “Puan”, “Abang” or “Kakak” instead of a first name.

Do

✓ Remove your shoes before entering someone’s home, a mosque, or a temple

✓ Use your right hand to eat, pass items or shake hands

✓ Dress modestly when visiting religious sites, covering shoulders and knees

✓ Greet elders and officials with a slight bow or a soft handshake if offered first

✓ Try local food at hawker stalls — it is where the best and most affordable meals are

✓ Ask permission before taking photos of people, especially at religious ceremonies

Don’t

✗ Point at people or objects with your index finger — use an open hand or thumb instead

✗ Touch anyone’s head, including children, as it is considered disrespectful

✗ Show public displays of affection beyond holding hands

✗ Offer or accept items with your left hand, which is considered impolite

✗ Discuss race, religion or politics casually with people you have just met

✗ Raise your voice or show visible anger in public — it causes both parties to lose face

The A, B, C, D Grading System

Under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, local health authorities inspect food premises and award a visible grade from A to D based on a scored checklist covering food storage, staff hygiene, pest control and cleanliness of the kitchen. Grade A means excellent compliance across the board, Grade B means good compliance with only minor issues, and Grade C or D signals significant problems that operators are required to fix, with repeat offenders risking licence suspension.

What to Look For as a Visitor

The grading certificate is usually displayed near the entrance or cashier of a restaurant, food court stall or hawker centre. As a general rule of thumb, choosing stalls with visible grading certificates, high customer turnover and freshly cooked food on display is a reliable way to eat well and safely while travelling around Malaysia.