Malaysia: First Name or Title?

From ExecutivePlanet.com

First Name or Title?

Chinese

The Chinese traditionally have 3 names. The surname (family name) is first and is followed by two personal names. Many Chinese adopt more Western names and may ask you to use that instead.

Many Chinese have a 'western name'. So even if their first name is actually Keng Wai they may introduce themselves as Alan.

When doing business in Malaysia, men should simply be addressed with their professional title plus a surname or simply using Mr. Lee.

Some Chinese women use their husband's name but some still keep their maiden name. Ms. Chen Mei Ling who married Mr. Tan Chuan Guan can either be addressed as Mrs. Tan or Mdm. Chen. Chinese names are usually composed of a surname followed by one or two first names, such as Chen [surname] Mei Ling [first names].

Malays

Many Malays do not have surnames. Instead, men add their father's name to their own name with the term "bin" (meaning ‘son of’). i.e. Rosli bin Suleiman, would be Rosli the son of Suleiman.

Women use the term "binti" i.e. Aysha bint Suleiman is Aysha the daughter of Suleiman.

In business they would only usually use their first name, i.e. Mr Ali.

Malay men and women can be addressed by their first names. For instance, Amirul bin Yusof should be addressed as Mr Amirul and not Mr Yusof, as the latter is his father’s name.

Indian

Many Indians do not use surnames. Instead, they place the initial of their father's name in front of their own name. The man's formal name is their name "s/o" (son of) and the father's name.

Women use "d/o" to refer to themselves as the daughter of their father.

Indians in Malaysia may follow several different traditions in terms of naming based on their religious background. While they did not traditionally have surnames, some have now adopted a family name that all members of their family use, generation after generation.

The general naming format for Indians is X son of Y or X daughter of Y. One should address them using the appropriate title (Doctor, Professor, etc) or Mr/Mrs followed by their first name.

Titles

A number of Malaysians have been conferred titles by the Malaysian Government. Among these titles are Tun, Tan Sri, Dato’ and Datuk. It is appropriate to address them by their titles.

Political dignitaries are conferred titles such as Yang Berhormat (YB) and Yang Amat Berhormat (YAB). The term Mr or Encik will not be necessary when addressing a person who has been conferred titles.

Sometimes, names are preceded by the terms Encik, Puan or Cik. These are Malay terms for Mr., Mrs, and Miss, respectively.