Why are so many mainland Chinese making Malaysia their second home?

By The Straits Times | Created at 2025-03-21 12:13:33 | Updated at 2025-04-04 22:39:04 2 weeks ago

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

For March, hosts Lim Ai Leen and Tan Tam Mei kick off with ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh, and special guest Dr Ong Kian Ming, both based in Kuala Lumpur.

It’s easy to settle down in multicultural Malaysia, as thousands of mainland Chinese on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa scheme have discovered. Affordable property, international schools, local food and a relaxed lifestyle are all draws, but are there drawbacks? As it is, signage in the Chinese language has already sparked off a war of words between politicians.

Speaking of politics, the recent Democratic Action Party (DAP) election saw the Lim family influence diminished. Former deputy minister and party insider Dr Ong gives us the lowdown on what happened on March 16, and his predictions for the DAP’s future.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:21 MM2H: Why is it so popular with mainland Chinese?

06:43 Cultural shift, retail landscape change from influx of Chinese

11:19 How Chinese brands are adapting to local market

14:57 Furore over Chinese signage

19:43 DAP election: How the party’s evolved in Malaysian politics

26:56 Will DAP turn into MCA 2.0

30:49 Mood at party polls

38:02 Lim Guan Eng’s future role and influence

42:38 News nugget: What’s your desert island Malaysian snack

MM2H scheme - https://str.sg/bsDx

Malaysia’s DAP election - https://str.sg/Kiqx