‘Foreigners allowed to buy property’

PETALING JAYA: The government welcomes foreigners to purchase properties, regardless of their nationality but imposes certain conditions and this information is publicly available, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

However, the purchase of properties does not guarantee automatic residency in the country, it said.

“For foreigners wishing to make Malaysia their permanent residence, there is a government programme called Malaysia My Second Home,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement yesterday.

Conditions for those interested and information on this programme is also publicly available, it added.

Reuters reported on Monday that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said foreigners will not be allowed to buy residential units in the Forest City project in Johor.

The Prime Minister’s Office said Malaysia welcomes all tourists, including those from China, and there are no restrictions imposed on foreign tourists as long as they meet all immigration requirements.

Chinese tourists are given a single-entry 30-day visa.

Last year, the country saw some 2.3 million Chinese tourists and is looking to attract up to 10 million in the coming years.

It said foreign investments are welcomed but the government reiterates that it welcomes foreign direct investment that contributes to the transfer of technology, provides employment for locals and facilitates the setting up of industries.