Investing in Malaysia

Make Malaysia your second home and enjoy greater investment benefits.

Why choose Malaysia?
For starters, it’s sunny all year long. Its equatorial position gives it a tropical climate, plenty of humidity during the day and cooler temperatures at night. It’s mostly summer all year round with just about enough rain to balance out the heat.

Malaysia operates as a central shipping port within Asia, with various sea and air shipping channels such as the Strait of Malacca, a major channel between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Malaysia is also home to an abundance of rich and natural resources such as petroleum, tin, timber and more.

As a cosmopolitan country, Malaysia is a melting pot of various cultures, races and languages… not to mention, cuisine! Ethic groups comprise of Malay, Chinese, Indian, indigenous and others (by order of majority). Whilst Bahasa Malaysia is the official language, English is widely spoken along with other local dialects.

Most notably, Malaysia has been voted one of the top Asian countries for travel and long-term stay. With progress underway, developments in and about Greater Kuala Lumpur as well as Klang Valley are set to transform Malaysia into a modern and prosperous nation on par with international standards in the next 10 years.

Malaysia is poised to become a high-income, integrated and sustainable nation with major plans underway to transform Kuala Lumpur.

Government Initiatives in Sustaining Economy & Property Growth in Malaysia

• Vision 2020
The Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) was launched on 25 September 2010, with plans to spend RM172 billion on developing Greater Kuala Lumpur / Klang Valley. The government’s aim is to make Kuala Lumpur on of the top 20 most liveable cities globally and top 20 in terms of economic growth by 2020. The ETP’s target is to reach a gross national income (GNI) per capital of RM47,900 in 2020 and this will be achieved through the implementation of 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs), namely by attracting RM1.4 trillion in investments which will, in turn will create 3.3 million new jobs.

• Tun Razak Exchange (TRX)
Construction on the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) began in July 2012. This Kuala Lumpur international financial district which covers an area of 330,000 square meters, will be the future star of Kuala Lumpur. TRX is expected to be further develop the city’s role as Malaysia’s financial capital by creating a seamless business environment for financial services firms, government organisations, multinational companies and supporting ancillary businesses. It is believed in the future, there will be more international enterprises established and more international talents living in this place, hence their demand in daily life, entertainment, and transport is expected to raise more business opportunities, bringing prosperity to the area.

• NAZA International Trade and Exhibition District – Kuala Lumpur Metropolis
The programme is aimed at developing Malaysia's largest commercial centre, promoting tourism as well as the country’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition (MICE) and more.

• Greater Kuala Lumpur / Klang Valley – 7 Major Projectss
1. Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) RM26 billion
2. 100-storey “Warisan Merdeka” skyscrapers RM50 million
3. KL Metropolis at Jalan Duta
4. Bandar Malaysia project, urban redevelopment of the old airport in Sungai Besi
5. Transform Pudu, redevelop Bukit Bintang commercial district
6. Develop district along Sungai Buloh - Shah Alam corridor
7. Taman Sari property, redevelop Pekeliling disctrict
Resources will be allocated towards development plans, focusing on Greater Kuala Lumpur / Klang Valley in the next 10 years. Real estate will play a key role in these regions for gathering populations and increasing economic growth.

• Malaysia-Singapore High Speed Rail, only 90 minutes to Singapore
The Malaysia-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) construction, costing an estimated RM40 billion, will span 330km with a projected speed of 350 km/h. The HSR is timed per hour and will take just 90 minutes to travel between Malaysia and Singapore.

• Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) Kunming to Singapore
The Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) is an integrated railway freight network across Europe and Asia. The Southeast Asian network of RM63.4 million spanning from Kunming, China to Singapore will increase economic trade and has been operational between Bangkok, Thailand and Singapore with an estimated route of 14,600km.

Enjoy greater returns when you invest in Malaysia with these advantages and benefits.

Housing Prices & Value Continually Appreciate
The Malaysian economy is on a steady incline as seen in the past 4 years, where the housing development sector saw an increase of up to 25%. With a current stream of infrastructure upgrading in the works around the city, Kuala Lumpur continues to enjoy a high growth rate.

Safe and Secure
While rules vary depending on the state you purchase property, every buyer's equity is protected under the Housing Development (Control & Licensing) Act 2002 and the Strata Tiles Act. Developers are prohibited from setting up independent contracts.

Government Regulation
The Government’s decree on foreign investment for local properties helps decrease the influx of foreign funds, which can inadvertently affect housing prices. Non-citizens are restricted from buying property valued below RM1 million. If the property is resold within 5 years, the buyer must pay an extra 30% profit tax, in order to stabilise the market price.

No Flipping Policy
Prior to purchasing property, buyers are required to attain government approval with an appraiser’s evaluation on the housing price, in order to apply for a housing loan. The overall transparency on housing prices prevents rapid increase or what is called “Flipping”.

High Rental Return
Rental returns for properties in Kuala Lumpur can reach up to 4-5%. Most tenants are locals or working professionals from other states or countries. Many international businesses also tend to set up office headquarters in Kuala Lumpur itself, which in turn creates tenancy demand in city.

If you’re planning to stay for the long term, expand your business internationally by setting up an office base, further your children’s education, or retire here, then a great option would be to apply for a residency visa under the Malaysia My 2nd Home (MM2H) programme. The validity period for this visa is 10 years, after which it is renewable.

By applying for this programme, you’ll enjoy greater benefits and privileges:
• No limitation on occupation, age and language proficiency.
• No enforced investment on migration fund programme.
• No limitation on business ventures, hiring and investment.
• Easy and simple application process, no certification needed for assets’ sources.
• Option to purchase a sales-tax free auto in Malaysia, or to bring in a custom-tax free auto from   overseas.
• Option to bring a housemaid into Malaysia (Government terms are applicable).
• Zero tax for overseas income.

Investment requirements:-
For applicants below 50 years of age
• A fixed deposit of at least RM300,000 in any financial institution of your choice in Malaysia.
• An overseas monthly income of at least RM10,000.

For applicants below 50 years of age
• A fixed deposit of at least RM150,000.
• An overseas monthly income of at least RM10,000.

Terms &Conditions	Above 50 years old	Below 50 years old
Fixed deposit in Malaysia	Fixed deposit withdrawable after 1 year (For investment, education and medication purposes)	RM300,000
RM150,000	RM50,000	RM150,000
RM300,000	No immigration supervision, a family member may represent entire family for applications.

Explore more investment options with the programme and how to apply.
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If you’re interested and ready to invest, here’s how you can become the new owner of a Malaysian property in just 5 simple steps.

1. Select a property.
2. Get a lawyer.
3. Pay the booking fee and sign agreement.
4. Sign the Sale & Purchase agreement and pay 10% of the balance.
5. Make the full payment within 3 months.

Find out more about financing and taxation of properties in Malaysia.
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