When I submitted my application in KL I was told by the Immigration officer that I must speak Bahasa Melayu (BM) in the interviews. One of the conditions on the KL Immigration Permit Masuk application checklist is the following:
My Immigration and Police interviews were both conducted in BM, as was the Home Visit, so I had to understand the questions and respond in BM.
This is how I learnt/improved my BM:
1) Took BM lessons
I had previously taken BM lessons once a week for 3 months which taught me the basics and gave a good foundation for understanding the language. Here are examples of available classes:
Online BM tutors can be found on these websites:
Another option are YouTube channels such as these:
2) Used a language learning app
I used the Ling language app to practice speaking and listening to BM in everyday situations: https://ling-app.com/. This article lists other BM learning apps: https://ling-app.com/ms/best-apps-for-learning-malay/
3) Revised interview questions and practiced answering them
I wrote and revised a list of likely questions and my answers, plus learnt the national
anthem (Negaraku) and national principles (Rukun Negara).
Example Interview Questions:
- Can you speak Bahasa Melayu?
- What is your name?
- What country do you come from?
- What is your address/where do you stay?
- Do you own or rent the house?
- What is your age?
- What is your date of birth?
- Where were you born?
- What is your wife/husband’s date of birth?
- What is your religion?
- What date did you first come to Malaysia and what was your reason for visiting?
- What was the date of your first LTSVP?
- How long have you lived in Malaysia?
- How and when did you meet?
- How long you have been married?
- What was your marriage date?
- Do you have any children?
- What are your occupations?
- Which company do you/your spouse work for?
- What are your salaries?
- What is your wife/husband’s monthly salary?
- How many family members do you have?
- Do you have siblings?
- Do you have family in your home country?
- What are your family members occupations?
- Where does your family live?
- How many siblings does your wife/husband have?
- Where does your wife/husband’s family live?
- How many times do you go to your country in a year?
- What are your education qualifications?
- What are your wife/husband’s qualifications?
- Why do you want to apply for PR?
- What do you like about Malaysia?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- What does your wife/husband like to do?
- What food do you like?
- What is your telephone number?
- Have you had any problems with the police in your country?
- Do you
follow politics? Foreigners are not allowed to get involved in Malaysian politics.
- What is the National Flower?
- What colour is the National Flower?
- What is the name of the Malaysian flag?
- How many colours does the flag have and what are they?
- How many stripes and what other symbols are on the flag?
- When is Independence Day (Hari Merdeka)?
- When is Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia)?
- How many states and federal territories are there?
- What are the names of the states and federal territories?
- Who is the King?
- Who is the Prime Minister?
- Who is the Deputy Prime Minister?
- Who are some other cabinet ministers?
- Who was the first Prime Minister?
- Can you name all the Prime Ministers?
- Can you recite the national principles (Rukun Negara)?
- Can you sing the national anthem (Negaraku)? You should stand up to show respect.
Applicants can be asked to recite Rukun Negara and sing Negaraku at one or both interviews.
Watching YouTube videos helped me learn them:
Rukun Negara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHEdSOkhI88
Negaraku: