Essentials
- City
- Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
- Population
- Approximately 300,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 100 Mbps via Unifi fiber; 5G coverage available via CelcomDigi
- Currency & Banking
- Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). 1 USD ≈ 4.75 MYR, 1 EUR ≈ 5.15 MYR
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for direct consumption; use filtered or boiled water
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British standard)
- SIM Card
- CelcomDigi, Maxis (Hotlink), and U Mobile; available at Bintang Megamall for ~RM35/month
- Banking for Expats
- Maybank, CIMB, and HSBC; Wise and GrabPay are widely used
- Accommodation
- Modern condos like The Empire or Pullman Residences; range RM1,500–RM3,500/month
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly friendly; GrabPay, TNG eWallet, and DuitNow QR accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; prices around RM150–RM250 per night for central suites
- Budget Accommodation
- Miri Trail Guesthouse or Co.93 Di Tanjong (approx. RM40–RM80 per night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Miri Waterfront or Marina Park City for proximity to dining and sunsets
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Marina Park City Phase 1 & 2 for walkable cafes and modern apartments
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- i-Cube Innovation (Marina Park City) - Day pass approx. RM30
- Best Cafe for Work
- Chapter One Cafe (Lot 2288) or Tea Co. (Marina) – both offer reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Miri Chamber of Commerce events and TEGAS Digital Innovation Hub meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Gymkhana Club Miri (GCM) and the Shell/Petronas expat social circles
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Grab is the dominant and most reliable service; Maxim is a cheaper alternative
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Limited; mostly available via private guesthouses or specialized shops in Marina Park City
- Best Beach Nearby
- Tanjong Lobang (Brighton Beach) for sunsets; Luak Esplanade for a quieter vibe
- Top Regional Airline
- AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines (MASwings) for rural heartland flights
- Top International Airline
- Scoot (direct flights to Singapore) and Malaysia Airlines
- Highway Access
- Pan-Borneo Highway connects Miri to Bintulu (South) and Brunei (North)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; Putra Bus Terminal is the main hub for long-distance coaches
- Public Transport Passes
- No unified pass system; pay per ride on local buses (RM1–RM4)
- Regional Travel
- Bus to Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) ~3 hours; Flights to Mulu National Park ~30 mins
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Columbia Asia Hospital Miri (Private) or Miri General Hospital (Public)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Studio Miri in Pelita Commercial Centre; RM30–50 per drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Level Up Fitness Xpress (Bintang Megamall) - RM15 per entry or monthly memberships
- Laundry Services
- Adobi Cleaning or self-service laundromats (e.g., Bubblelab) - RM10–15 per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- GrabFood and FoodPanda are the primary providers
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sarawak Laksa (try it at 63 Cafe) and Midin (jungle fern)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Life Cafe (Marina) or many Chinese Buddhist vegetarian stalls in Pelita
- Best Dessert Spots
- After 4 Coffee for cakes; local Cendol at the Miri Central Market
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Miri Central Market (Tamu Muhibbah) for local produce; Emart for groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Shopee Malaysia and Lazada Malaysia are the market leaders
- Grocery Delivery
- GrabMart and Lotus's (via food apps)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Marina Park City and Times Square; check out The Red One or Tipsy Sharehouse
- Local Brewery
- No commercial local brewery; enjoy Tuak (local rice wine) at cultural venues
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop (Marina) – extensive selection with tasting events
- Street Food Stalls
- Saberkas Night Market (Thursday-Sunday) – snacks from RM2
- Popular International Cuisine
- Seoul Garden (Korean) and Fratini’s (Italian) in Boulevard Area
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Grand Old Lady (Canada Hill) - First oil well in Malaysia
- Museums & Art Venues
- Petroleum Museum on Canada Hill (Free entry)
- Historical Sites
- Niah Caves (Archaeological site 1.5 hours away) – RM10 entrance
- Religious Sites
- Tua Pek Kong Temple and San Ching Tian Temple (Largest Taoist temple in SE Asia)
- Annual Events
- Borneo Jazz Festival (usually May/June) and Miri Country Music Fest
- Cultural Districts
- The Old Town (Old Miri) for traditional shops and architecture
- Theater Venues
- Civic Centre Miri for occasional local performances
- Local Markets
- Tamu Muhibbah – opens early daily for jungle produce and handicrafts
- Music Scene
- Live bands at Ming Cafe or various pubs in the Marina area
- Street Art
- Murals scattered around the Miri Old Town and China Street lanes
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at community centers or Sarawak Culinary Arts programs
- Art Galleries
- Miri Art Gallery (occasional exhibitions at the library)
- Historic Buildings
- Old Miri Resident's Office and the traditional shophouses of High Street
- Local Heritage
- Orang Ulu beadwork and Pua Kumbu weaving found at the Heritage Centre
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lambir Hills National Park – 30 mins drive for waterfalls and hiking (RM20 fee)
- National Parks Nearby
- Gunung Mulu National Park (UNESCO) - reachable by a short flight
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Marina Park City waterfront or the bypass cycling lane near Luak
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Canada Hill at sunset for a full panoramic view of the city and sea
- Birdwatching Locations
- Piasau Nature Reserve – famous for Oriental Pied Hornbills
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Public beach areas like Bakam; requires local council permission for large fires
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PosLaju, J&T Express, and Ninja Van; frequent drop-off points in malls
- Tech Repair Services
- Permaisuri Imperial City Mall (IT floor) for phone and laptop repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Miri Table Tennis Association training hall
- Language Classes
- Curtin University Malaysia or private tutors for Bahasa Melayu/Mandarin
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Miri City Council Public Library (Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri branch)
- Community Centers
- Miri Gymkhana Club for social, sporting, and community activities
- Gaming Lounges
- Dark Knight E-Sports Cafe (RM4/hour)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not permitted in Sarawak; nearest legal casino is in Genting Highlands (West Malaysia)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. RM7,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM300,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. RM5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM200,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. RM7,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM420,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. RM4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM270,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. RM6,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM520,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. RM4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM320,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 24% standard rate; SME rate is 15-17% on first RM600k
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for non-residents (Malaysia follows a single-tier system)
- Tax System
- Territorial basis; income sourced from outside Malaysia is generally exempt
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% for residents; flat 30% for non-residents
- VAT
- 6% Service Tax (SST), no Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Generally no; Malaysia does not have strict CFC legislation currently
- Property Tax
- Yes, Assessment Rate (Cukai Pintu) and Quit Rent (Cukai Tanah) apply
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp Duty (RPGT) scaled from 1% to 4%; Labuan/Sarawak specific rules apply
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- DE Rantau Nomad Pass offers special tax considerations for foreign remote workers