The Malaysian Insight

PUTRAJAYA will again review the Johor government’s policy on the 70% quota for foreigners owning Forest City properties. 

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said this was to ensure locals would not be sidelined from buying homes there. 

“For now, our focus is on Forest City and the state government’s policy that allows ownership to foreigners of up to 70%. We have to study this issue.

“We will see what is the best way so that locals will not be sidelined, as well as what will benefit them,” she said at a press conference after a ministry meeting in Putrajaya today. 

Zuraida said no policy existed stating foreigners could obtain a Malaysian visa by purchasing the property. 

However, regarding the Malaysia My Second Home programme, she said her ministry had requested the Home Ministry be strict with its approvals. 

“Visas and the Malaysia My Second Home programme comes under the Home Ministry. We have requested that it tightens approvals for Malaysia My Second Home applications, as well as visa applications,” she said. 

The Malaysia My Second Home programme allows qualified foreigners to live in Malaysia for as long as they want through a social visit pass. 

Purchase of property is not a prerequisite for foreigners to be qualified under the programme, and those who apply are allowed to purchase property according to a minimum price set by each state. 

Foreigners who enter the programme in Johor can only purchase property worth at least RM1 million. 

Two days ago, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad repeated his stand that foreigners could buy properties in the area but that the government would not provide them with a visa. 

Dr Mahathir had previously said the project was developed for outsiders and not Malaysians. 

Zuraida today clarified that her meeting regarding the Forest City project last Monday was with the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). She said Forest City developers were absent as they had another engagement.

She said the meeting was an early report briefing on the status and facts regarding the project. 

“I will continue my fact-finding mission and only after that can I give the report to the prime minister on how to overcome issues regarding Forest City.” – September 6, 2018.