Malaysia's Trusted Maid Agency — Penang, Selangor & Kedah
Agensi Pekerjaan PMA Sdn Bhd (PMA) has placed domestic helpers with Malaysian families since 1993. Three branches. One licensed agency. Indonesian and Filipino helpers matched to your household's real needs.
A licensed maid agency in Malaysia is a JTKSM-registered employment agency that handles every step of recruiting, verifying, and placing a foreign domestic helper legally in your home. PMA has done this since 1993 — with offices in Penang, Puchong (Selangor), and Alor Setar (Kedah) — and has guided thousands of Malaysian families through the process correctly, the first time.
Find Your Nearest PMA Office
Three fully-staffed branches across Malaysia. Walk in or call ahead — we speak English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Hokkien.
Penang (Head Office)
223D, Burmah Road,10050 George Town, Penang
Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm | Sat: 10am–2pm
04-229 9399
Puchong, Selangor
17-2, Jalan Puteri 2/1,Bandar Puteri Puchong,
47100 Puchong, Selangor
Mon–Fri: 9am–7pm
016-4102 999
Alor Setar, Kedah
No 132, Tingkat Bawah,Jalan Lencong Barat, Taman Sri Tandop,
05400 Alor Setar, Kedah
Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm
04-772 6199What Sets a 30-Year Agency Apart
30+ Years of Placements
Since 1993, PMA has matched Indonesian and Filipino domestic helpers with Malaysian families across Penang, Selangor, and Kedah. Our track record is our reputation — and our reputation is why families return and refer.
Vetted & Verified
Every helper we place goes through a documented screening process: identity checks, employment history verification, FOMEMA medical screening, and skills assessment. You receive a complete profile before you commit to any placement.
Full Legal Guidance
Immigration law, levies, PLKS renewals, security bonds — the paperwork can overwhelm any first-time employer. PMA guides you through every document, deadline, and government requirement so nothing falls through the cracks.
Choosing the Right Domestic Helper for Your Family
Both nationalities are hardworking and available through PMA. The right choice depends on your household's specific needs, communication preferences, and daily routines.
| Factor | Indonesian Helper | Filipino Helper |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Bahasa Indonesia (very close to Bahasa Malaysia). Picks up conversational Malay quickly. | Strong English proficiency. Some Tagalog/Filipino dialects. |
| Cooking Familiarity | Excellent with local Malaysian and Malay cuisine. Familiar with halal cooking. | Adapts well. May need guidance on local dishes initially. |
| Cultural Fit | High — shared cultural proximity makes daily routines easier to align. | Strong — professional outlook, comfortable in international households. |
| Suits Best For | Multi-generational homes, elderly care, households where Malay is the primary language. | Childcare-focused homes, families with English-speaking children, expat households. |
| Min. Salary (approx.) | RM 1,500/month (2022 Malaysia–Indonesia MOU) — verify current rate | approx. RM 1,900/month (POLO floor) — verify current rate |
| Agency Pages | Indonesian Domestic Helper Guide | Filipino Domestic Helper Guide |
Note: Salary figures are based on government-to-government MOU minimums. Actual offers may differ. See our verified fee breakdown for current rates before you budget.
Domestic Helper Services We Place For
Elderly Care
Dedicated companions and care assistants for elderly family members — bathing support, medication reminders, mobility assistance, and meaningful companionship throughout the day.
Learn MoreChildcare & Nanny
Experienced helpers who assist with infant care, school-age children's routines, homework supervision, and meal preparation — so working parents can be present when it matters most.
Learn MoreCooking & Housekeeping
Daily cooking, grocery management, cleaning, laundry, and household organisation. Helpers matched for these roles are screened for practical kitchen skills and attention to detail.
Learn MoreHow Hiring a Domestic Helper Through PMA Works
A clear, legal process from your first enquiry to your helper's first day. Read the full step-by-step guide →
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Initial Consultation
We learn about your household — number of occupants, elderly or children, preferred language, cooking requirements. This takes 20–30 minutes, in person or over the phone, at no charge.
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Profile Matching
PMA presents you with screened helper profiles that match your requirements. You review experience, skills, and references. No pressure and no commitment at this stage.
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Documentation & Application
Once you select a helper, we handle the JTKSM application, immigration clearance, and all required paperwork — including the security bond and FOMEMA medical screening coordination.
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Arrival & Briefing
We arrange the helper's travel and coordinate their arrival at your home. PMA provides a written placement brief to both you and the helper to ensure clear expectations from day one.
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Ongoing Support
PMA remains your point of contact after placement — for PLKS renewals, levy queries, and if any issues arise that require resolution between you and your domestic helper.
What Does It Actually Cost?
Most agencies in Malaysia do not publish their fees. We do — because a family making a budget decision deserves real numbers, not a phone call just to find out the price.
The total cost of hiring a domestic helper includes the agency fee, government levy, FOMEMA medical screening, security bond, and insurance. We break every component down clearly.
See Full Fee BreakdownWhat's Typically Included
- ✓ Agency placement fee
- ✓ Government levy (annual)
- ✓ FOMEMA medical screening
- ✓ Security bond
- ✓ Insurance coverage
- ✓ PLKS (work permit) application
Government fees are set by regulation and updated periodically. Current verified figures are on the fees page.
Real Reviews from PMA Clients
"We approached PMA for the first time after a bad experience with another agency. The difference was immediate — they actually listened to what our elderly parents needed, not just what was available. Our helper from PMA has been with us for three years now."
"As a dual-income family in Puchong, having reliable childcare was non-negotiable. PMA matched us with a helper who had genuine experience with toddlers. The paperwork was handled for us — we just had to show up."
"I was worried about all the immigration requirements — levy, FOMEMA, work permit. PMA explained each step in plain language and stayed available when I had questions. My helper arrived exactly when they said she would."
"Our helper has been with us in Bayan Lepas for two years. When the work permit came up for renewal, PMA handled everything. I didn't have to take a single day off work for paperwork."
"PMA's Alor Setar office is the only agency I'd recommend in Kedah. They know the process properly and don't make promises they can't keep on timing."
"My mother-in-law in Shah Alam needed daily care after her surgery. PMA found a helper with elderly care experience within a week of our enquiry. The consultation was honest and the fees were clearly explained upfront."
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to what Malaysian families ask most. See the full FAQ →
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The total cost of hiring a domestic helper in Malaysia includes the agency fee, government levy (RM 410/year for a foreign domestic helper as of 2026), FOMEMA medical screening fee, security bond, and personal insurance. The agency fee for Indonesian helpers is subject to a regulated maximum.
The exact all-in figure depends on nationality, agent costs, and current government schedules. See our full, verified fee breakdown — including what you pay the agency, what goes to the government, and what your helper receives.
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The end-to-end process — from your initial consultation to your helper's first day — typically takes 1 to 4 months. Indonesian placements are generally processed faster than Filipino placements due to different government-to-government MOU requirements and overseas processing steps.
Processing times can vary depending on the Immigration Department's current queue and whether all your documents are in order from the start. PMA will give you a realistic estimate at your initial consultation based on current conditions.
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Yes. Agensi Pekerjaan PMA Sdn Bhd holds a valid licence issued by JTKSM (Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Semenanjung Malaysia / Department of Labour, Peninsular Malaysia), under the Ministry of Human Resources. Our licence number is displayed in every branch and on our About page.
Hiring through a licensed agency is the correct legal route for placing a foreign domestic helper in Malaysia. Unlicensed channels expose employers to immigration and legal risk.
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Indonesian domestic helpers typically integrate faster due to the proximity of Bahasa Indonesia to Bahasa Malaysia, and their strong familiarity with local food and household customs. They suit multi-generational households, elderly care, and Malay-speaking homes.
Filipino domestic helpers typically have strong English communication skills, which suits households with English-speaking children, international families, or employers who prefer to communicate in English. Compare in detail →
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Yes. PMA offers a placement replacement guarantee within a defined period following placement. The full terms — what qualifies, what is not covered, and the replacement process — are published on our Replacement Guarantee page.
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For most foreign domestic helper nationalities — including Indonesian and Filipino — Malaysia's Immigration Department requires that recruitment be conducted through a licensed employment agency registered with JTKSM. Direct hiring outside this system is generally not permitted and can result in irregular employment status for the helper and legal exposure for the employer.
Ready to Find the Right Domestic Helper?
Send us a message or call your nearest PMA branch. Our first consultation is free, and there is no obligation to proceed.