since he is a beginner; the cheapest violin are still the china made ones.they arent that bad compared to 4 years ago but do not compared to the german or italian made ones of course. there is one good store in city square, kl or else u could try harmony music shop in pj or the music shop in sungai way plaza.price range would cost from rm 500-1000+
if i was ur friend i would start off with the cheapest possible cause not everyone are good on violin.some just dont get it; its inborn ; rest is left to the age advantage to learn and determination.it is said that violin is the hardest instrument to be played in an ochestra so good luck 

http://musiced.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsit...obuyviolin.html

Tips on choosing a violin
http://www.stringsmagazine.com/issues/strings113/china.html

this a review on a china made violin, ive seen and tried this violin in singapore.it was good.loud and bright quality through it was heavy as expect from china made violin but it sounds good.
my 1st beginner violin was cremona; that was ages back.
this is the map how to get to citysquare
http://my.pagenation.com/kul/City%20Square....7201_3.161.map

CITY SQUARE (C10)
JALAN TUN RAZAK
TEL: 03 2162 1566

got the info back from yellow pages;you should check them.they have list of music shops...

Euro Music Distributor Sdn.bhd.
03-21642389