Yes correct. It's actually known as "Semi Knocked Down" (SKD).

There is no factory that manufactures big bikes in Malaysia.

They're all from outside Malaysia, brought in either in CBU form or CKD.

When he said Msia models different from Thai models, depending on what bike you're talking about he could mean that they have different sources for the same parts.

For example, Kawasaki in Thailand might find it more economical to use certain tyre brands that are available locally there while Malaysia might use whatever that's economical here. Same tyre specs, different brands. Ditto the fluids like engine oil, same specs different brands.

Sometimes, Kawasaki might import parts from OEM factories outside of Thailand. And that would make Msia models arguably different from Thai ones.

I think it's the same logic as when buying CKD cars.

Overall, unless the difference in quality and reliability is glaring, IMHO it really doesn't matter. No reputable motorcycle brand would allow vast discrepancies in performance and quality across the region anyway.