Chinese New Year (February 5th 2019) – Malaysia Major Public Holiday

Analysts say Malaysia’s relatively lower cost of living, favourable property market, and less competitive work environment are key factors attracting professionals, retirees, and investors from China. - NSTP FILE PIC — Analysts say Malaysia’s relatively lower cost of living, favourable property market, and less competitive work environment are key factors attracting professionals, retirees, and investors from China. – NSTP FILE PIC

KUALA LUMPUR: Frustrated with the fast-paced work culture, an increasing number of Chinese nationals are seeking refuge in Malaysia, drawn by its relaxed lifestyle, affordable living, and long-term residency programmes.

One of them is Shanghai-born Lauren Dai, 38, who moved to Kuala Lumpur in 2019 under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, which grants foreign applicants a 10-year residency, the Straits Times reported.

“My last 20 years in fast-paced Shanghai and Hong Kong have been exhausting.

“There’s no such thing as the end of the work day in China.

“WeChat blurs the lines between private and work life,” said the online advertising executive.

In Malaysia, however, she was able to switch off during the holidays.

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She said WhatsApp didn’t invade her personal life, and e-mail remains the preferred mode of work communication.

Dai, who is living in the expatriate hub of Mont Kiara, has embraced local culture, even sharing videos on social media platform Xiaohongshu to teach fellow newcomers how to order popular Malaysian dishes like teh tarik and roti tisu at mamak eateries.

She is part of a growing wave of Chinese nationals opting for Malaysia under the MM2H programme.

As of December, 2024, mainland Chinese accounted for 45 per cent (26,162 participants) of the scheme’s total 57,686 applicants, making them the largest group under the initiative.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail clarified allegations about Chinese tourists overstaying in Malaysia. Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat and through his Facebook, he addressed claims that 1.2 million Chinese nationals

Analysts say Malaysia’s relatively lower cost of living, favourable property market, and less competitive work environment are key factors attracting professionals, retirees, and investors from China.

Malaysia's MM2H visa shake-up prompts cautious welcome – and questions | Migration News | Al Jazeera

Malaysia’s MM2H visa shake-up prompts cautious welcome – and questions

Southeast Asian country’s revised residency scheme comes after 2021 revamp significantly tightened eligibility.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/26/malaysias-mm2h-changes-draw-cautious-welcome-questions-among-expats

MM2H participants also hail from South Korea, Japan, and Bangladesh, with smaller numbers from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

With more Chinese nationals choosing Malaysia to escape high-pressure work cultures back home, the country is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for those seeking a fresh start and a better quality of life.