There are 4 region locks on the 3DS [Japan, US/ASI, Europe/Oceania and China]
Most of us Malaysians would be using US/ASI region 3DS.
Best for you to get the US/ASI version 3DS, since... 1. games in English 2. Easier to find 3. Cheaper

but just to be clear about Region locking, US games =/= JP 3DS Console or JP games =/= US 3DS Console

Both ASI and US region are the same thing, em both region games can be played on both either ASI and US console 
though if you get a ASI  3DS, you would get a one year warranty by Maxsoft (SEA official Nintendo distributor)
But for the US 3DS... probably retailers warranty 

For 3 months, usually it should be RM 100 lesser than the price bought.
Easiest way is to look at the box though. But the serial number will help as well.

Wait until tomorrow and then you will see how you can identify.

http://kyosgamemart.com/blogs/kyo/11795713...pictorial-guide

I took some time to write this guide for you to find out what is what. In the mean time, let me find out about the serial number.

well, asian set is actually us set. nintendo just rebrand them as ASI set (without the nin club code).

but yeah, me too prefer the us set cause the nin club code