M’sians in S’pore can help promote housing scheme

SINGAPORE: Malaysians residing in Singapore can assume a vital role in promoting the “Malaysia My Second Home Programme” (MM2H) among Singaporeans, says Tourism Malaysia director in Singapore Zalizam Zakaria.

He said Singaporeans were among the top ten purchasers of properties in Malaysia under MM2H followed by Japanese, British, Americans, Chinese nationals, Iranians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indian nationals, Australians and South Koreans.

The programme is promoted by Malaysia to allow foreigners, who fulfill certain criteria, to stay in Malaysia for as long as possible on a 10-year multiple-entry social visit pass which is renewable.

Open to citizens of all countries recognised by Malaysia regardless of race, religion, gender or age, applicants are allowed to bring their spouses and unmarried children below the age of 18 as dependants.

The Malaysian High Commission in Singapore, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia briefed Malaysians living in the city-state at its monthly “Malaysians Get Together” on the advantages of owning a house in Malaysia.

According to Zalizam, Malaysians should do a “sales pitch” among their Singapore friends by highlighting that the Government would continuously seek to improve the programme.

Quoting International Living.com, Zalizam said Malaysia ranked the 16th most preferred top retirement haven in the “Annual Global Retirement Index” in 2009.

Apart from a relatively low cost of living, he said it was worthwhile to note that those who qualified would be able to bring their immediate family members along, own freehold property in Malaysia, import worldly goods and even purchase a brand new car, tax free.

“They can also enjoy all the multiple benefits that Malaysia offers to its citizens,” he said, explaining further that Malaysia had an efficient and affordable healthcare system.

By Bernama