Malaysia faces rising calls to reconsider GMT+8 time zone
Calls are growing in Malaysia to reconsider the country’s current time zone, GMT+8, with critics arguing it disrupts daily routines and health for millions of people.
Some experts and members of the public say the mismatch between solar time and social schedules limits exposure to morning sunlight and affects circadian rhythms.
Peninsular Malaysia currently experiences sunrise at around 7 a.m., leaving workers and schoolchildren little daylight before starting their day.
In contrast, eastern states Sabah and Sarawak see sunrise between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., despite sharing the same time zone as the rest of the country.
Advocates for a time zone change point to nearby countries, such as Thailand and western Indonesia, which operate on GMT+7, arguing this alignment allows for a healthier daily routine with earlier daylight hours.
Some Malaysians say they feel “robbed” of morning light, limiting opportunities for exercise and outdoor activity before work or school.
The current time arrangement dates back to 1982, when then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad advanced Peninsular Malaysia’s clock by half an hour to synchronise with Sabah and Sarawak. Singapore followed suit to avoid inconvenience for businesses and travellers.
Calls to revert Peninsular Malaysia to GMT+7 have circulated online for years, driven by communities advocating for more sunlight to improve health. Supporters argue that shifting the clock could help address lifestyle-related health issues such as sleep disruption and low physical activity.
However, medical experts caution that the one-hour difference may not be a major health concern.
The government has previously rejected proposals to shift the time zone, citing potential economic impact.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
