Will be visiting for a couple of weeks in the new year and, based on experience in Phuket last year; would like to have a local SIM (For booking taxi's and a like) as my phone is not compatible with e-sim (Samsung FE20)

Therefore looking for recommendations from the knowledgable collective
- given a choice i'd not prefer to sort at KUL on arrival, but can do (as arrive circa 6pm)
- would be happy to visit a store in KUL the day after

Thank you in advance for your suggestions

There should be at least 2 telcos that offer a physical sim for tourists. Maxis (or Hotlink) and CelcomDigi. Umobile might be there as well. These are the 3 main telcos in Malaysia. Do compare the "tourist" package with a sim card (usually RM5 or ~1�) plus a pay as you go data package (called "prepaid" in Malaysia). Some telcos maybe cheaper if you buy the sim card plus PAYG data package. These telcos are all available in KUL T1 (I haven't arrived in T2 in a while so I can't say for sure but I'd be very surprised if there aren't any telco shops in T2).

Last time I bought one (2019), I seem to recall the life was fairly limited. Also seem to remember you could buy the package in town with appropriate ID. Other solution is to buy a 5ber SIM card.

Thank you both
Will have to Google harder, as most results relate to eSims, which sadly my phone isnt compatible with

5ber is some physical SIM card that you can load eSIMs into.

Everything you ever need to know about SIM cards is here:

https://prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com/wiki/Malaysia

wow, thank you

If you're arriving in Terminal 1, as you approach the immigration counters after arriving, along the walkway are telco kiosks. They should still be open at 6pm.
Or try checking Klook website, they have pickup options as well.

Yes the kiosks are open late into the night too.

I'm wanting to get a SIM for my iPhone (3rd gen) ideally to pick up at KLIA Terminal 1 (only need data for a 30 days holiday for maps, taxis etc first in KL and the Penang). Used Klook before for South Korea SIM card, but they only had one with celcomdigi but says not available from Terminal 1. As I will be staying at a city center hotel I can get a SIM there instead - would welcome recommendations. Does it make any difference to price if I pre-order or just walk up to any SIM provider at KLIA T1? Thanks

You can get SIM cards at KUL T1 either before immigration or just after you exit the secure area. I recommend that you get after you exit to avoid immigration queues. You can get CelcomDigi, UMobile, and Maxis/Xpax just to the left once you leave the secure/customs area. Do check if getting a SIM plus pay as you go 30 day plan is cheaper than a "tourist SIM package".

Thanks for the information.

Would the price be the same if pre-ordering or just walk up to the kiosk? Ideally, just a fast unlimited data SIM for 30 days, don't need to make calls.

Typo: it's for an iPhone SE (3rd gen).

Just get it at one of the shops (as nov11 said they are immediately in front of you to the left as you exit baggage claim and through customs channel - these are the storefront shops and not the tourist SIM kiosks)
They'll sort you out. Will require registration and your passport info. Pretty quick, but allow 5-10 minute, a bit longer if there are other customers already there.

I wouldn't know the pre-order price but those shops are legitimate telco operated shops (not third party shops as seavisionburma mentioned). What you pay at KLIA is probably what you'd pay on main street in KL. 5-10 MYR for a SIM card and whatever plan you want to choose. The "tourist package" is just a package offered by some telcos where they bundle your SIM with data package. You don't have to buy that if you don't want to.

I don't know where you'll be traveling in Malaysia but if you are only sticking to the metropolitan areas, then all 3 telcos work fine. If you travel to more remote areas e.g. islands off Sabah or jungles in Sabah/Sarawak/peninsula, you should check with the resort and see which telco company works best at that location. e.g. only Celcom works in Kinabatangan jungle area and some islands off Semporna in Sabah (e.g. Pom Pom Island).

Also worth noting that CelcomDigi is a merger of 2 companies, Celcom and Digi. I don't believe they have merged their network yet so it might be worth checking at the shop which exact network you are purchasing the SIM card for (Celcom or Digi).

Thanks,

First 1.5 weeks in KL city and then 2.5 weeks in Penang, doing as much hiking as possible.