I've never been to Redand Island, but I have been to Langkawi.  It is of concern that Malaysia is an islamic country and their concept of decent swimwear is quite different than in Europe or the U.S.  That said, they do invite tourists to their country and the majority are from Europe.  They obviously do tend to go skimpier.  If I were you I would do a Google search on topless beaches in Malaysia to see if there is any anecdotal experiences out there that people have written about.  If you find there are, then I would say you might be safe.  You might email your hotel there to find out if there is topless sunbathing.  That would give you an idea to how open they are to the thong concept.  But I would tread carefully no matter.

In southeast Asia I would say that Thailand and Bali are both somewhat more accepting of thongs/topless.  I've seen men in thongs on Kuta Beach in Bali.  And in both places scores of european/australian men in speedos.

Thonging in Malaysia can be tricky.  Don't go to the public beaches where local Malays hang out with their families and such.  The local or rural Malays are a conservative bunch.  You can see women wearing full body track suit with a head scarf swimming. (quite a turn off). You can see many of these sights on the mainland beaches, even in some resorts which are more family orientated.

However, when you are off the mainland in many of the islands, toplessness and thongs can be found.  It is not very rampant though.  I have been to Langkawi island and saw some caucasion women in thongs in a 3 star resort.  My wife, who is a local Chinese girl wore a thong also. (Fairly rare also) When we move to a 5 star resort, the atmosphere changes quite a bit.  Saw a few more women in thongs and a French man in thongs also.  I think the logic should be the more you pay, the lesser people will bother you. (You're paying for more privacy also)

A friend of mine saw a local Chinese girl in a g-string in Pulau Redang.  She must be pretty daring. The last I have heard is that pulau redang has become a mass tourist destination, mainly local tourists.  Thongs and toplessness should definitely raise an eyebrow.  I imagine people would be pointing fingers just short of confronting you.

Pulau Perhentian in contrast is an unofficial topless island. (Next to Redang) You get mainly European back packers and basic accomodation.  Toplessness and thongs are more common.  My wife also went topless there.  I was tempted to wear a pair of thongs there but my bulging beer gut stopped me.  Don't wanna spoil the view of others. Environment there is very relaxed there and nobody would bother you anyway except for maybe nudity.

If you want total peace of mind, justgo north into thailand and you can enjoy thonging with total abandonment!

Reply to : krazyhippo

Should be ok at the top few resorts in langkawi. Tanjung rhu, datai and such. Tioman should be quite crowded. Been there last year and atmosphere not very condusive. Lots of kids and such.  Go to perhentian island, and lang tengah. More foreigners go there and less family orientated.  One girlfriend of mine actually tried it in one of the port dickson resorts when the kids are not around. Obviously, she got loads of men staring. Can be a bit uncomfortable to me.  If it does not affect you, you virtually can do it everywhere with a bit of consideration for families. 

Kota Kinabalu, not a problem,

Kuching Damai beach not a prob.

Hotels in Miri, shouldnt be a problem.

in malaysia is very difficult for you to find people wearing thong.....i never seen anyone wearing thong in malaysia, anyone??????

Wah lau...first time here people go Genting tan. Genting not a good place to enjoy sunshine lah. Try some other place.

Sentosa beach there can tan. Nobody 'kar-jeow' you.

Buy a normal thong undie and persuade her to wear first. She will wear wan lah.... Give her some times.

Slowly, she will become daring and wear thong swimwear. That's how I trained my girlfriend. Hah...no sweat. She will like it when she is used to thong undie. Trust me!

So far, for Malaysia, only one ang-moh man. In P.Rawa (that expensive private island), saw two ang-moh ladies. Anyway, I doubt these ang-moh are Malaysians lah. There one time, saw a Chinese in tiny loose 3/4 cut bikini bottom. From far, her look okay, walk nearer, then noticed her face cannot make it but her figure is very perfect and nice. After coming out of the water, she never bothered to pull/adjust her bikini bottom. Wah....I can tell you, the whole 3/4 cut bikini bottom slide almost into her arse. (it became a thong instantly! LOL) 

By the time I asked my girlfriend to see, the Chinese lady and her male accompany walked far away liao. Anyway, in Malaysia, most oftenly seen is girls in bikini and that's common. 

In Singapore, seen thrice (woman in thong) at Sentosa beach. In Hong Kong beaches spotted but not confirm. In Thailand, not difficult. Ang moh ladies going topless far more than those wearing thong.