Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H). Latest numbers? Still attractive? 3 Major Reasons.

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H). Latest numbers? Still attractive? 3 Major Reasons.

The below is for foreigners who are considering which country they like to spend a lot of their time in after their retirement. Retirement does not need to be 55 years old or older yeah. When we have enough of a higher valued currency, retirement will be possible already.

Comparing Malaysia to all the other ‘cheaper’ countries?

Do google those countries which are said to have lower cost of living than Malaysia. I do not wish to debate further in this article. In fact if cheapest is the thing you are after, perhaps just go to the cheapest country. There are definitely cheaper countries, I am sure. Plus the fact that the terms and conditions can even be more loose than Malaysia’s. Maybe no property purchase is needed… Maybe no fixed deposit is required… However, if Malaysia is one of the considerations, take a look at the current numbers as below.

Article in imidaily.com Between October 2024 and June 2025, the program received 3,019 applications, split into 48 for Platinum, 137 for Gold, 2,434 for Silver, and 400 for the Special Economic and Financial Zone (SEZ/SFZ) category.

Among these, authorities approved 1,294 applications, bringing the total number of MM2H approvals since its 2002 inception to 59,762.

The figures suggest that the program’s revamp has been a success. The previous version had seen a sharp drop in interest after changes in 2021. Between 2021 and 2023, MM2H approved only 1,900 applicants, compared to nearly 1,300 in just one year since the latest revamp. Article in imidaily.com

Below are the top 3 reasons for me to decide the country for me to spend majority of my retirement life in.

#1 – Price (and variety lah. If cheap but everyday eat the same… same and same… then it’s yuck…)

We cannot run away from looking at prices. Since MM2H requires the person to buy a property, that’s already inside the necessary investment. So, we let that slide and we look at food. We need to eat everyday, so meals should be US$5 (RM21) or lower. How to sustain higher prices for every meal? Generally, it’s still RM10 (US$2.50) per meal or lower in typical coffee shops in Kuala Lumpur. Other places should be even more cheaper lah. We also have expensive places like those with air-conditioning or those restaurants inside malls. Those would be potentially higher than US$5 per meal. It’s a choice.

Do we have varieties then? This is Malaysia lah. We are truly Asia. Here are just the 99 choices. https://cookingwithchefsamuel.com/article/malaysia-food-top-99-dishes/ All Malaysian food yeah, not fusion or western or Japanese etc…

#2 – People (and culture… different holidays… different experiences)

What foreigners would experience once they stay here for one whole year will include the following: (Source: google.com)

Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr): The most significant Muslim celebration marking the end of Ramadan, characterized by returning to hometowns (“balik kampung”) and open houses.

Chinese New Year: A 15-day celebration featuring lion dances, fireworks, and family reunions.

Deepavali (Diwali): The Hindu festival of lights, celebrated with oil lamps, intricate kolam decorations, and prayers.

Christmas: Widely celebrated in Malaysia, regardless of religion, on December 25.

Wesak Day: The holiest day for Buddhists, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha.

Thaipusam: A Hindu festival featuring massive, colorful processions where devotees carry kavadi and pierce their bodies with hooks to show devotion, particularly at Batu Caves. 

Harvest and Indigenous Festivals (Mainly Borneo) 

Tadau Kaamatan (Sabah): The Kadazan-Dusun harvest festival celebrated in May with traditional dance and pageants.

Hari Gawai (Sarawak): The Dayak harvest festival held in June to mark the end of the rice harvest.

Other: Pesta Kaul (Melanau), Regatta Lepa (Bajau boat festival).

Merdeka Day (Independence Day – August 31): Commemorates Malaysia’s independence with parades and fireworks.

Malaysia Day (September 16): Marks the formation of the Malaysian federation.

Labour Day (May 1): Celebrated to recognize worker contributions.

King’s Birthday (Agong’s Birthday): A national holiday celebrating the monarch.

Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah): The Islamic New Year.

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Maulidur Rasul): A public holiday for Muslims.

Mid-Autumn Festival: Known for lanterns and mooncakes.

Vaisakhi: Celebrated by the Sikh community.

Get real my dear MM2H participants. There are NO SUCH list in any of the other countries you are looking at. If there is, please tell me so that I also learn from you okay. 🙂 Plus the fact the Malaysians are friendly and we are friendly from the heart. It’s not a forced friendly or a fake friendly because you are a tourist yeah. We also speak English and many other languages. MM2H participants also get to learn many other languages if you stay here for some time yeah.

#3 – Proximity

If we stay in KL, we are typically a few hours from everywhere in the whole of Malaysia. 350km to reach Penang (UNESCO Heritage City). 35km to reach Johor (right next to Singapore). In other words, we can arrive in these amazingly different vibe places in maybe 4 hours. Alternatively, a slower drive using the expressway and stopping along the way in many different towns, cities and experiences. If I assume every weekend is an exploration weekend, any MM2H participant will still need one full year to at least experience all the cities… towns… and more importantly, all these are accessible. There is no need to drive like 12 hours… or fly many hours… etc. Malaysia is BIG enough and yet SMALL enough at the same time. Hard to find such a balance lah.

Nope, I have not even started to talk about our other half of Malaysia; Sarawak and Sabah. These two states would take any MM2H participant another year. Haha. So, 2 years of traveling EVERY weekend and well, you can now say you have experienced enough to say you know Malaysia lah. Flying to Sarawak or Sabah is just a few hours. Once you arrive, can now drive around or get the local travel agency to help.

Beyond just the travel, you are near to all the necessary stuffs. Private Hospitals? I can safely assure you that the choices are aplenty and Malaysia is one of the most visited countries in the world for medical tourism. If it’s just price but without the expertise, there is no way Malaysia can achieve this status yeah. Quality healthcare and all are within proximity. Clinics are available everywhere and generally 16 to 24 hours too. Typical visit to these clinics? RM50 (Below US$15). Yes, I know what’s the typical charge to visit a clinic in the US and the UK and Australia yeah. Let’s just let it be and realize how fortunate you are if you visit a clinic here in Malaysia when you feel you have a fever or flu.

Conclusion?

I have visited many countries. Every country have their own amazing advantages. Some have the weather I love. You see, I hate heat and the sun and I prefer a cooler temperature. Some have the public transport which is forever on time, even when a tsunami happened in some parts of the country. Some have an amazing government which keeps the whole country in check. However, from the above few reasons, there are none like Malaysia. Just have to balance everything and couple that with the cost of living and you can then make the best choice based on what you need. Who knows, it may be some other country? For those who decided Malaysia is that choice, I welcome you. There are no MM2H links anywhere in this article yeah. I am just a Malaysian who love Malaysia. Period.

Happy reading!Property News Malaysia? Sign up for daily investment news updates (FREE since Nov 2013 and FOREVER). 

Alternatively, Follow me on Telegram here.

Please LIKE kopiandproperty.com FB page to get daily updates about the property market beyond kopiandproperty.com articles.

Else, follow me on Twitter here.