Malaysia My Second Home Programme.

If, after a short and memorable holiday in Malaysia, you have been smitten by the people, the culture, the cities, the lifestyle, the modern conveniences and the exotic charm, then there is the Malaysia My Second Home programme to beckon you to Malaysia again and again.

The Government-endorsed programme was introduced in 2002 specifically to attract foreigners wishing to live a meaningful and affordable life in Malaysia for extended periods.

Malaysia My Second Home Programme replaced the Silver Hair Programme set up in 1996.

Participants of the programme are given a social visit pass and multiple-entry visa from the Malaysian Immigration Department which is good for ten years, and is renewable thereafter.

Both documents give MM2H participants the freedom to enter and leave Malaysia whenever they wish.

Among the incentives are house and car purchases, and tax exemption on pensions and foreign income brought into the country.

The programme has been a success, attracting increasing numbers of new participants every year.

The total number of participants from 1996 until September 2008 is 12,184.

The top five countries are China (2,201), Bangladesh (1,629), UK (1,450), Japan (857) and Singapore (700).

Malaysia as a long-stay destination:

Among the unique aspects that make Malaysia a popular long-stay destination are :-

- Cost of living in Malaysia is one of the lowest in Asia while the quality of life is among the highest with all the modern infrastructure, amenities and facilities in place.

- The weather is pleasant, warm and balmy with moderate rain throughout the year.

- Malaysia is one of the most politically stable countries in the world and is one of the safest countries in the world with a relatively low crime rate.

- The country practices religious and cultural freedom and there is a free and harmonious intermingling of different cultures and traditions.

- English is spoken widely throughout the country.

- Infrastructure in the whole country is well connected with up-to-date, modern transportation and communications systems.

- Quality education at all levels is available at a reasonable cost. Malaysia has one of the best-developed and quality educational systems with a choice of public and private and also international schools of repute.

- Medical facilities in the country are efficient, of international quality and reasonably priced.

- Quality residences of all kinds, terrace houses, semi-detached, bungalows, apartments and condominiums are available all over the country. You could even make your home in resort-like environments whether on beaches, near the jungle, theme parks, recreational places or the centre of bustling city centres.

- It is a food paradise with food from all over the world found here and at very reasonable costs too.

- The country has everything for individual and family recreation and enjoyment – from theme parks, jungles, mountains, sports, islands and beaches, water sports and a great number of golf courses.

- You can also shop till you drop here as quality goods from all over the world are available at reasonable prices throughout the country.

Endorsement for the programme:

A recent poll conducted by the Long Stay Foundation of Japan identified Malaysia as a top choice for long-stay programmes among the Japanese, outranking Australia, Thailand, New Zealand and Hawaii.

In its 2007 Retirement Index, International Living, an online magazine focusing on retirement destinations, gave special mention to Malaysia and the MM2H programme in its report of “Countries with Special Retiree Benefits”.

Application procedures:

The application process is simple.

The programme is open to citizens of all countries regardless of race, religion, gender or age. In fact, those applying can also bring along their spouse and children (below 18 years old and unmarried) and even a maid.

Approved participants below the age of 50 need to make a fixed deposit of a minimum of RM300,000 (US$75,000) while those aged 50 and above need only put in RM150,000 (US$40,000) or show that they have a monthly off-shore government pension of RM10,000 (US$2,500).

After a year, participants can make withdrawals but must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 (US$16,000) in the account.

Withdrawals can be made for approved expenses relating to house purchases, education for children, medical expenses and other expenses which are deemed justifiable and have been approved by the Ministry of Tourism.

Besides the financial requirements, successful applicants must submit a medical report from a Malaysian-registered private hospital or clinic together with a valid medical insurance in Malaysia before the MM2H visa endorsement.

If you would like to find out more, visit the website at http://www.mm2h.gov.my/or the MM2H one-stop centre on the 23rd Floor of Menara Datuk Onn in Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Source : Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia My Second Home Programme is a post from: All About Malaysia Blog

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Malaysia Is The Best International Destination 2008 – Communications & Publicity Division, Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia was recognized as the Best International Tourism Destination of 2008 by Global Traveler magazine readers.

It was Malaysia’s third straight win, having won the title in the past two years.

Global Traveler’s annual survey received responses from more than 31,000 readers of the magazine this year, most of whom were frequent premium travelers who averaged 33 round-trip flights per year.

Through the survey, they determined the best of business and leisure holiday products in 55 categories.

Winners of the 2008 survey were featured in the December issue of Global Traveler magazine, while a cocktail reception to celebrate the winners will be held on 15 January 2009 at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles.

Global Traveler is a US-based business travel publication that caters mainly to executive travelers in North America who appreciate business and luxury travel.

This is the 5th year that they are conducting the survey.

Source : Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia Is The Best International Destination 2008 is a post from: All About Malaysia Blog

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Malaysia School Holidays 2009 :-

Malaysia School Holidays 2009 – First Term Break

14 – 22 March 2009 ( 1 Week )
13 – 21 March 2009 ( Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu Only )

Malaysia School Holidays 2009 – Second Term Break

30 May 2009 to 14 June 2009 ( 2 Weeks )
29 May 2009 to 13 June 2009 ( Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu Only )

Malaysia School Holidays 2009 – Third Term Break

22 – 30 August 2009 ( 1 Week )
21 – 29 August 2009 ( Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu Only )

Malaysia School Holidays 2009 – Final Term Break

21 November 2009 to 3 January 2010
20 November 2009 to 2 January 2010 ( Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu Only )

Malaysia School Holidays 2009 is a post from: All About Malaysia Blog

Related Posts:

1. Malaysia Public Holidays 2009
2. Malaysia State Public Holidays 2009

Malaysia State Public Holidays 2009 :-

1 January 2009 (except Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan & Terengganu) – New Year’s Day

18 January 2009 (Kedah only ) – Birthday of Sultan Kedah

1 February 2009 (Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur, Labuan & Putrajaya only) – Federal Territory Day

8 February 2009 (Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur, Johor, N.Sembilan, Perak, Penang & Selangor only) – Thaipusam Festival

4 March 2009 ( Terengganu only ) – Anniversary of Installation of Sultan Terengganu

30 & 31 March 2009 (Kelantan only) – Birthday of Sultan Kelantan

8 April 2009 (Johor only) – Birthday of Sultan Johor

10 April 2009 (Sabah & Sarawak only) – Good Friday

15 April 2009 (Melaka only) Declaration of Melaka as a Historical City

19 April 2009 (Perak only) – Birthday of Sultan Perak

7 May 2009 (Pahang only) – Hol Day of Pahang

17 May 2009 (Perlis only) – Birthday of Raja Perlis

30 & 31 May 2009 (Federal Territory Labuan & Sabah only) – Harvest Festival

1 & 2 June 2009 (Sarawak only) – Dayak Festival

29 June 2009 (Johor only) – Hol Day of Almarhum Sultan Johor

11 July 2009 (Penang only ) – Birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang

19 July 2009 (Negeri Sembilan only ) – Birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Negeri Sembilan

20 July 2009 (Terengganu only ) – Birthday of Sultan Terengganu

20 July 2009 (Kedah, N.Sembilan & Perlis only ) – Israk and Mikraj

22 August 2009 (Johor, Kedah & Melaka only) – Awal Ramadan*

7 September 2009 (Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Selangor & Terengganu only) – Nuzul Al-Quran

12 September 2009 (Sarawak only) – Birthday of T.Y.T Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak

16 September 2009 (Sabah only) – Malaysia Day & Birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah

10 October 2009 (Melaka only) – Birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka

24 October 2009 (Pahang only) – Birthday of Sultan Pahang

11 December 2009 (Selangor only) – Birthday of Sultan Selangor

* Subject To Change

The above dates are the announced Malaysia State Public Holidays for 2009.

Malaysia State Public Holidays 2009 is a post from: All About Malaysia Blog

Related Posts:

1. Malaysia Public Holidays 2009
2. Malaysia School Holidays 2009

Malaysia Public Holidays 2009 :-

26 & 27 January 2009 – Chinese New Year (Kelantan and Terengganu One Day Only)

9 March 2009 – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

1 May 2009 – Labour Day

9 May 2009 – Wesak Day

6 June 2009 – Birthday of SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King’s Birthday)

31 August 2009 – National/Merdeka Day

20 & 21 September 2009 – Hari Raya Puasa *

17 October 2009 – Deepavali*

27 November 2009 – Hari Raya Haji* (Kelantan and Terengganu Holiday for 2 days)

18 December 2009 – Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah)

25 December 2009 – Christmas

* Subject To Change

The above dates are the announced Malaysia public holidays for 2009.

Malaysia Public Holidays 2009 is a post from: All About Malaysia Blog

Related Posts:

1. Malaysia State Public Holidays 2009
2. Malaysia School Holidays 2009

Fact Of Malaysia

The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsula Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

Geographical Location

Located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator, Peninsula Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea.

To the north of Peninsula Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore.

Sabah and Sarawak are north of Indonesia in Borneo while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei.

Area

329,758 square km

Population

27.17 million

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

People

Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.

Language

Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Ethnic groups also have their own languages and dialects.

Religion

Islam is the country’s official religion, but other religions are widely practised.

Government

Malaysia is governed by a Parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system.

The Head of State is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, a position that is awarded to a different State Monarch every five years and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.

Weather

Tropical climate with warm weather all year round.

Temperatures in the lowlands range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF). The highlands are cooler, where temperatures range between 15°C (59° F) to 25°C (77°F).

Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm.

Economic Profile

Manufacturing constitutes the largest single component of Malaysia’s economy.

Tourism and primary commodities such as petroleum, palm oil, natural rubber and timber are other major contributors to the economy.

Currency

The currency unit of the country is Ringgit Malaysia written as RM.

The value is approximately USD1 = RM3.60.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and money exchange.

Banking Hours

Most states: Monday – Friday: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Saturday & Sunday: Closed (Some banks and their branches open on Saturdays).

Kelantan & Terengganu: Sun – Wednesday :9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Thursday :9.30 am to 4.00 pm. Friday/Saturday*/Public Holiday: Closed

Post Office

Opens from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm daily, except on the first Saturday of each month, Sundays and public holidays.

In Kelantan and Terengganu post offices operates during the same time, but are closed on Fridays and public holidays.

Time

Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Standard Time.

Electricity

Voltage is 220 – 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second.
Standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.

Weight and Measurement

Malaysia follows the metric system for weight and measurement.

Telephone

Local calls can be made using public telephones with shillings or prepaid cards.

International calls can also be made using phone cards or at any Telekom office.

Accommodation

Malaysia has a wide range of accommodation with reasonable pricing.

There are five star hotels, budget hotels, youth hostels, beach chalets and apartments available.

Source : Tourism Malaysia

Fact Of Malaysia is a post from: All About Malaysia Blog

Related Posts:

1. Malaysia State Public Holidays 2009

Multiculturalism has not only made Malaysia a gastronomical paradise, it has also made Malaysia home to hundreds of colourful festivals.

It’s no wonder that we love celebrating and socialising.

As a people, Malaysians are very laid back, warm and friendly.

Geographically, Malaysia is as diverse as its culture.

There are two parts to the country, 11 states in the peninsula of Malaysia and two states on the northern part of Borneo.

Cool hideaways are found in the highlands that roll down to warm, sandy beaches and rich, humid mangroves.

One of Malaysia’s key attractions is its extreme contrasts.

Towering skyscrapers look down upon wooden houses built on stilts, and five-star hotels sit several metres away from ancient reefs.

For the perfect holiday full of surprises, eclectic cultures and natural wonders, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

More Info : Tourism Malaysia

All About Malaysia – What You Need To Know is a post from: All About Malaysia Blog

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