Who sends money from Malaysia to Indonesia
Common senders: plantation, construction, factory and domestic workers, and long-term residents with family across the region.
About this corridor
Malaysia is one of the largest destinations for Indonesian migrant workers. Licensed remittance companies are the safe channel; unlicensed agents are common but risky, and Bank Negara Malaysia publishes a list of licensed providers.
Worked example: sending 1,000 MYR
Using the ECB reference rate on 2026-10-07, 1 MYR = 4,371.44 IDR, our estimate model gives these results for sending 1,000 MYR:
| Provider | Est. fee | Est. received | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut | 3.00 MYR | 4,336,534 IDR | 34,906 IDR |
| Wise | 10.09 MYR | 4,327,341 IDR | 44,099 IDR |
| Remitly | 0.00 MYR | 4,318,983 IDR | 52,457 IDR |
| Western Union | 20.44 MYR | 4,196,447 IDR | 174,993 IDR |
| Bank wire (typical) | 81.76 MYR | 3,913,683 IDR | 457,757 IDR |
In this example Revolut delivers roughly 422,851 IDR more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.
Sending to Indonesia: what to know
- Payout options: bank transfer and e-wallets such as DANA, OVO or GoPay on some providers.
- Bank delivery to BCA, BRI, Mandiri and BNI is widely supported.
- Double-check the recipient's name matches the bank record exactly to avoid returns.
Rules and limits
In Malaysia: Remittance providers in Malaysia must be licensed by Bank Negara Malaysia under the Money Services Business Act 2011; the licensee list is on BNM's website.
In Indonesia: Money transfer services are licensed by Bank Indonesia. E-wallet deliveries are subject to wallet balance limits, which are lower for unverified accounts.
How to pick the cheapest option
- Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
- Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
- Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from Malaysia to Indonesia?
It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much IDR each provider delivers for 1,000 MYR; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.
How much more does a bank wire cost for 1,000 MYR?
Using the reference rate on 2026-10-07, our model puts the gap at about 422,851 IDR versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.
How can my recipient in Indonesia receive the money?
Common payout options are bank transfer and e-wallets such as DANA, OVO or GoPay on some providers. Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.
How long does it take?
Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.
Sources
Official pages checked on