OBJECTIVES: This objective of this research was to describe the quality of life of Malaysian renal failure patients who are on dialysis awaiting a potential transplant at 6 Malaysian Government hospitals.  METHODS: This study utilizes primary data collected in 2009 for an ongoing study on the cost-effectiveness of Renal Transplants. The EQ-5D questionnaire was self-administered by Malaysian renal failure patients on dialysis who are currently on the transplant waiting list. Respondents answered validated Malaysian English, Malay or Malaysian Chinese versions of the EQ-5D questionnaire comprising 1) rating of the 5 EQ-5D dimensions of health, and 2) visual analogue scale (VAS) of their own health, respondent demographics and perceptions. The results from this study were compared against the QOL of Malaysian dialysis patients from a 2004/5 study by Faridah.  RESULTS: A total of 208 respondents answered the questionnaire. Of these 195 were useful for analysis. Mean age was 41 years in the sample of which 54% were male and 75% had a secondary or tertiary level education. Most patients opted to answer the Malay language questionnaire (83%), compared to the English (6%) and Chinese (11%) language versions. Mean quality of life for the entire sample was a VAS score of 77.7 (sd 14). Very few respondents reported extreme problems in any health dimension. The highest rate of extreme problems was 2% for usual activity. Quality of life was found to be related to age and how the respondent felt on the day. The relationships were statistically significant.  CONCLUSIONS: The EQ-5D appears to be able to measure the QOL of Malaysian dialysis patients. QOL of dialysis patients from this survey are similar the results from a previous study conducted in 2004/5.