Q & A: Malaysian Official PlayStation Network Store and PlayStation Friend
July 16, 2009 by Chapree
Sony Malaysia’s PlayStation Evangelist - Teoh Wah Keong was on hand to show around what PS3 and PSP can benefit from the Malaysian PSN Store.
Since Malaysians started to got their hands on PlayStation 3, whether through earlier parallel importers or official channel after the Malaysian launch, they always wondered when the official PlayStation Network Store will be opened for our country. The wait came to an end early last month when the real official Malaysian store was finally opened for business.
Just around the time of the launch, we were there at a special media briefing for the online store by Sony Malaysia. We were also briefed about the Sony Malaysia’s community programme for the console’s fan called PlayStation Friend.
As we believe all PS3 (and PSP, to some extent) owners out there already knew how PSN Store works, we would not touch on the store’s how-tos. Instead, we asked Sony about credit card support, the upcoming PSPgo and future PS-related activities in Malaysia. Jump in for the Q&A, whereby the answers are mainly provided by Sony Malaysia’s PlayStation Evangelist - Teoh Wah Keong and also, fact sheet from the briefing. 
PlayStation Network Malaysia - Official Website | Lowyat.NET Forums
PlayStation Friend - Official Website | Facebook Group
Welcome to Malaysia, PSN Store!
MP: One of the main issues of PlayStation Network Store is the electronic wallet issue. What are the method that PSN Malaysia currently supports for account reloading?
SM: As for now, the only method to top up PSN electronic wallet is by the use of PSN prepaid card that comes in RM 100 nomination, which are available at our Sony Style stores.
(Editor: Although we hardly saw the card at Sony Style ourselves, it is there according to our forumers but it sold out as fast as it arrived)
MP: As overseas PSN stores support purchases/top-up by credit card, when will this feature to be available at the Malaysian store?
SM: The credit card support for Malaysian PSN store is expected to be available by end of this year.
You can now buy stuff from PSN without calculating the exchange rate between Ringgit and foreign currencies.
MP: Why it is going to take quite long to implement the support, taking in context the huge gap between the Malaysian PS3 launch and the store launch itself?
SM: As our PSN store are handled by the regional HQ in Hong Kong, the delay is mainly caused by technical issues…for example, the differences between Malaysia and Hong Kong especially when it comes to credit cards.
MP: Tell us more about PlayStation Friend community initiative.
SM: The PlayStation Friend is a platform for the fans of PlayStation to get to now about latest news and happenings related to PlayStation such as events, member benefits, priveledges, promotions and many more.
It is a value added program by Sony Malaysia through MySony programme, whereby we not only provide product’s hardware and software support but also to support the PlayStation community. Members can also share their gaming knowledge, skills and recommendation for PS3 or PSP products through the PlayStation Friend, which have its own Facebook group.
MP: Any upcoming local PlayStation activities that we should be aware off?
SM:We might have something for the upcoming PC Fair in July…also, we will be having software (games) launches periodically.
MP: Last but not least, any words on when the new PSPgo will arrived in our country?
SM: *laugh* So far, there’s still no news from our regional office in Hong Kong. We will definitely let everybody know as soon as we got any confirmed news about it.
Keep a look on the PlayStation swags - courtesy of Sony Malaysia, to be given away on Multiplay soon, which includes official PlayStation Friend t-shirts. 
Posted in Consoles / Handheld, International eSports, Interviews, Local News, New Releases, Sony
Chapree
July 20th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
where can i buy these cards now? can i buy it AT 7-eleven? i`m in perlis…
July 21st, 2009 at 9:00 am
Most important question is… When is the PSN store for PSP is going to be as much stuff as the US PSN store? PSN Store for asia is pathetically rubbish, whatever games I wanne buy doesn’t exist (say, rockband, patapon2, final fantasy vii eng. version), get those games into the asian market PLEASE…
July 21st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
albert: AFAIK, so far, only Sony Style has it and even there, it is available in very limited quantity. Your idea of having them at 7-11 is not bad IMHO…
Tien Hock Loh: PSN Store contents is the same across SEA region (HK, SG, MY) as it handled by the regional office in HK, so I guess we are stuck with those limited and yes, crappy selection of games until HK office decides to update it. As for the games you mentioned, the (original. say no to jack sparrows!) UMD version is always around through reputable online merchants such as Play-Asia, if you couldn’t find them locally.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:01 pm
well, i hope the psn card can come out at here at perlis, cuz i wanted to buy those little big planet’s things, then resident evil -versus mode ^^ 7-11 here din have those cards~ omg T.T
July 26th, 2009 at 11:09 am
@Chapree: I wonder when SONY HK is going to do something about this… I”m tired of having UMD (and it’s massive load times, I bought UMD, but instead of using it, I ripped it and play using CFW)… DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!!
September 20th, 2009 at 9:48 am
most of the ps 1 classic titles in Japanese? why la? games like Zen Pinball, TMNT reshelled all nowhere to be found here, plus we only get 1 dynamic theme. kepala otak psn malaysia fail
October 15th, 2009 at 11:42 am
malaysia psn & store SUCK