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Understanding Phone Numbers in Malaysia
Quick Reference Guide
Country: Malaysia
Country Code: +60
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: 0
Overview
This comprehensive guide offers an in-depth look at Malaysia's telephone numbering system, covering formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory details. It's an essential resource for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators seeking accurate and current information on Malaysian phone numbers.
Number Formats
Structure of Malaysian Phone Numbers
Malaysia's phone numbers are systematically structured with a country code, national prefix, and subscriber numbers. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) regulates these formats, aligning with ITU-T standards.
General Structure:
Country Code: +60
National Prefix: 0
Subscriber Number: Varies by type (landline, mobile, toll-free, premium rate)
Detailed Number Format Table
Type
Format
Example
Regex Pattern
Landline
0X-XXXX XXXX
03-1234 5678
^0[3-9]\d{1}-\d{7}$
Mobile
01X-XXXX XXXX
012-345 6789
^01[0-9]-\d{7}$
Toll-Free
1 800-XXXXXX
1 800-123456
^1800-\d{6}$
Premium Rate
1600-XXXXXX
1600-123456
^1600-\d{6}$
Emergency
XXX
999
^\d{3}$
Landline Numbers
Landline numbers in Malaysia have the following structure:
Format: 0X-XXXX XXXX
Example: 03-1234 5678
Regex Pattern: ^0[3-9]\d{1}-\d{7}$
These numbers are prefixed with a digit from 3 to 9, indicating the geographic region.
Mobile Numbers
Mobile numbers are structured as follows:
Format: 01X-XXXX XXXX
Example: 012-345 6789
Regex Pattern: ^01[0-9]-\d{7}$
They start with 01, followed by a digit (0-9) and a 7-digit subscriber number.
Toll-Free Numbers
Toll-free numbers are used for customer service and support:
Format: 1 800-XXXXXX
Example: 1 800-123456
Regex Pattern: ^1800-\d{6}$
Premium Rate Numbers
Used for special services, premium rate numbers follow this format:
Format: 1600-XXXXXX
Example: 1600-123456
Regex Pattern: ^1600-\d{6}$
Emergency Numbers
Emergency numbers are short codes:
Format: XXX
Example: 999
Regex Pattern: ^\d{3}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
Landline to Landline: Dial the full number, including the area code. Example: 03-1234 5678.
Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly. Example: 012-345 6789.
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly. Example: 013-456 7890.
International Calls
Outgoing: Dial 00 (international prefix), followed by the country code, area code (if applicable), and subscriber number. Example: 00 1 212-555 0123 (for a call to New York, USA).
Incoming: International callers should dial +60 followed by the local number without the leading 0. Example: +60 3-1234 5678.
Number Portability
Since 2011, Malaysia has offered mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to keep their mobile numbers when changing service providers.
Major Telecom Operators
Malaysia's key telecom operators and their number ranges include:
Currently, Malaysia's numbering system lacks specific technical restrictions like golden numbers or number blocking, but the MCMC may implement such measures if necessary.
Technical Considerations
For developers and system administrators working with Malaysian phone numbers, consider the following:
Validation: Use the regex patterns provided to validate phone numbers.
Formatting: Ensure numbers are correctly formatted for user display.
Portability: Implement checks for mobile number portability if your system interfaces with telecom services.
Internationalization: Store numbers in E.164 format (+60 XXXXXXXXXX) for global compatibility.
For the latest telecommunications regulations in Malaysia, visit the MCMC official website.