Well, I  guess above statement applies to anywhere on earth.
If you pay in full your Australia CC there won't be any interest charges. In actual fact, some Australia credit card interest rate on outstanding balance is even lower than Malaysia issued ones. For example Bankwest has a CC that offers interest rate of 10.99%. Click here to see table of other banks' credit card interest rate. HSBC interest rate is high and don't offer low interest rate CC.

Banking fees not necessary high too, I have several free debit cards from Australia and I am sure you have several too. However, using your Australia Debit Card in Malaysia will most probably cost you more than using cash as there are fees associated with overseas transactions.
Here are your options if you are unsuccessful in getting a Malaysia issued credit card:

1. Next time you are back and if you are in Klang Valley. Drop by Maybankard Centre at 1U and apply for the Maybankard 2 Cards on the spot. I got no idea if they will process your application based on your overseas income but no harm trying.

2. Ask your parents to get a debit card from their own banks. You can bank in the money for them via online transfer/TT or post them  bank drafts.

3. Ask your parent to open a join Citibank Savings Account where debit cards can be issued to both of them (from a single account). You on the other hand open a Citibank account and you can do online transfer of funds to their join account instantly. Alternatively, when you are back home, go open join accounts with each of them and all 3 of you will get debit cards and you can monitor all your savings accounts worldwide with Citibank from a single online account. Click here to see comparison of Citibank Global Transfer between account versus cash withdrawal.

4. Check out HSBC Advance account when you come back. See if they will issue you the HSBC Advance Platinum Card. Maybe Miles can confirm if the card is issued automatically with opening of a HSBC Advance account. Need to maintain RM20K in account or else there's a monthly fee. However, I am not sure if you can get supp card without a join account.

5. If you have RM150K to deposit, go open CIMB Preferred Banking and you'll be issued a credit card automatically or other Privilege/Priority Banking with Alliance and HLB with RM200K. Got more money to deposit, check out Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC. Once again, you need to open the account jointly with your parents to get supp cards.