Bahasa Melayu or the Malay language is the national language and the medium of instruction in local educational establishments. English is taught as a second language but is widely spoken and generally understood.

In Penang , many Asian languages and dialects are also spoken and understood.

The Chinese use Mandarin and other Chinese dialects such as Hokkien , Hakka (Khek), Cantonese and Teochew .

Thw Indians useTamil and other Indian dialects such as Bengali , Hindu Malayalam , Punjabi and Telegu .

Other languages commonly spoken are Thai and Japanese.