Complete guide

How to find software developers in Malaysia

Malaysia
March 1, 2023
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Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country located on the Malay Peninsula and the northern part of the island of Borneo. It is home to a diverse population with a rich cultural heritage, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures. The country is known for its tropical rainforests, stunning beaches, and vibrant cities. Malaysia has a rapidly growing economy and is a leading exporter of oil, natural gas, and electronics, as well as a popular tourist destination.

Why Malaysia is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Malaysia

• According to a 2019 survey by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, there are an estimated 1.4 million tech professionals working in Malaysia.• The tech talent pool in Malaysia is highly educated and skilled, with 65% of tech professionals having a Bachelor’s degree or higher.• The top five most sought-after tech skills identified by employers in Malaysia are software engineering, software development, cloud computing, data science, and IT security.• The top industries that recruit tech talent in Malaysia are IT services, finance and banking, telecommunications, retail and e-commerce, and manufacturing and logistics.• The average salary for tech professionals in Malaysia ranges from RM3,000 to RM7,000 per month.

The tech ecosystem in Malaysia

The tech ecosystem in Malaysia is vibrant and rapidly growing. There are a variety of organizations that are dedicated to fostering the development of the tech sector. This includes universities, research centers, venture capital firms, incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, and government initiatives. These organizations provide resources and support to startups, entrepreneurs, and investors. Additionally, there is a strong network of tech professionals and influencers who are working to drive innovation and growth in the industry. In recent years, Malaysia has seen an influx of foreign investments and talent, which have further bolstered the tech ecosystem.

Best tech meetups in Malaysia

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Malaysia Cybersecurity Community Meetup
2. Malaysia Artificial Intelligence Network Meetup
3. Malaysia Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Meetup
4. Malaysia AI & Big Data Meetup
5. Malaysia Mobile & Web Development Meetup
6. Malaysia Entrepreneurship & Innovation Meetup
7. Malaysia Internet of Things Meetup
8. Malaysia Product Design & User Experience Meetup
9. Malaysia Cloud Computing & DevOps Meetup
10. Malaysia Data Science & Analytics Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Malaysia

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Use job boards: Job boards such as Jobstreet and MyStarjob are popular among software developers in Malaysia. Use these boards to post job openings and search for candidates who match your requirements.

2. Utilize networking and referrals: Leverage your existing professional network and ask for referrals. This is a great way to find high-quality candidates who are already familiar with the industry and your company.

3. Leverage recruitment agencies: Recruitment agencies can be a great resource for sourcing software development talent in Malaysia. These agencies have a network of qualified and experienced developers and can help you find the right candidate quickly.

4. Attend tech events: Malaysia is home to many tech events such as the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) and the Kuala Lumpur Technology Conference (KLTC). These events can be a great platform to meet potential software developers and showcase your company.

5. Use social media: Social media can be a great way to reach out to software developers in Malaysia. Use channels like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to post job openings and connect with potential candidates.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Malaysia is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Malaysia

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Jobstreet
2. LinkedIn
3. MYStarJob
4. JobsMalaysia
5. Monster
6. Indeed
7. Glassdoor
8. StartUpJobs
9. Jobstore
10. Jora Malaysia

Best remote job boards to find developers in Malaysia

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. JobStreet
3. Upwork
4. Freelancer
5. Fiverr
6. AngelList
7. RemoteOK
8. WeWorkRemotely
9. Toptal
10. PeoplePerHour

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Malaysia

The average salary for a junior developer in Malaysia is around RM28,000 to RM35,000 per year. This includes base salary, bonus, and other benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance, paid vacation, and other benefits. Junior developers typically work on basic coding tasks, such as debugging, writing code, and designing software. They may also be tasked with developing mobile applications and websites, as well as helping to troubleshoot and maintain existing systems.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Malaysia

The average salary for a senior developer in Malaysia is around RM 65,000 to RM 95,000 per year. This salary range includes base salary, bonuses, and other benefits. The exact salary range will depend on the senior developer's experience, skill level, and location. Senior developers typically have 5+ years of experience and specialize in one or more programming languages, databases, and frameworks. They are also expected to lead development projects and mentor junior developers.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Malaysia. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Malaysia. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Malaysia.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a legal entity that acts as an employer for employees in a foreign country. This arrangement is often used by companies who are looking to expand their operations into Malaysia but do not have the resources or the legal knowledge to do so. An EOR can provide a cost-effective solution for companies to recruit and manage local staff without having to set up a local entity.

Here are the steps for using an EOR in Malaysia:

1. Research and select the right EOR for your needs. It is important to ensure that the EOR you select is well-versed in the local laws and regulations and can provide the necessary support for your recruitment and payroll processes.

2. Sign an agreement with the EOR. The agreement should clearly outline the responsibilities of each party and the duration of the contract.

3. Recruit and onboard the employees. The EOR will take care of the recruitment process, including the necessary legal paperwork, such as work permits, visas, and other documents.

4. Set up payroll. The EOR will arrange for the payment of wages and other benefits for the employees.

5. Provide ongoing guidance and support. The EOR should provide ongoing guidance and support for the employees, such as ongoing training and advice on legal and regulatory matters.

Using an EOR in Malaysia is an effective way to hire local staff without having to set up a local entity. However, it is important to ensure that the EOR you select is experienced in the local laws and regulations and can provide the necessary support for your recruitment and payroll processes.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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