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Laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, rich cuisine and low cost of living lure more expat retirees to Malaysia

But ‘no place is perfect’ – the country’s policy flip-flops on its long-term residency scheme and profiteering relocation agents risk diluting its appeal

Tan Ai Leng

Tan Ai Leng

Published Fri, Apr 26, 2024 · 08:36 AM
    • Good food is the key reason that attracts foreigners to Malaysia, and Char Kway Teow is one of the irresistible local specialties.
    • Gary Crestejo (with black T-shirt) celebrating the opening of one of his new outlets in Gohtong Jaya with the shareholders and staff.
    • Despite some unpleasant encounters in Malaysia, Taiwanese author Li Yu Xi said a change of perspective will turn the stay in Malaysia a rewarding experience.
    • "Food is another reason that attracts many to Malaysia," said Keith Judd, who moved to Malaysia in 2010 under Malaysia My Second Home programme.
    • Good food is the key reason that attracts foreigners to Malaysia, and Char Kway Teow is one of the irresistible local specialties. AFP
    • Gary Crestejo (with black T-shirt) celebrating the opening of one of his new outlets in Gohtong Jaya with the shareholders and staff. GARY CRESTEJO
    • Despite some unpleasant encounters in Malaysia, Taiwanese author Li Yu Xi said a change of perspective will turn the stay in Malaysia a rewarding experience. LI YU XI
    • "Food is another reason that attracts many to Malaysia," said Keith Judd, who moved to Malaysia in 2010 under Malaysia My Second Home programme. KEITH JUDD

    [KUALA LUMPUR] IT WAS “love at first sight” for Irishman Keith Judd when he visited Malaysia for the first time in 2009. He was working in Shanghai at that time.

    In the whirlwind move that eventually ensued, he relocated to Penang Island a year later, under the country’s popular visa residency programme for foreigners called Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H).

    The 62-year-old semi-retiree lives in a spacious beachfront condominium in Tanjung Bungah, a northern suburban coast of Penang. He begins his days with a leisurely stroll along the beach shoreline, enjoying easy access to a wide range of amenities and dining options.

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