Quality of Life
Malaysia is among the most friendly and hospitable places in the world to work and live in. Malaysians are warm, friendly people who easily accept foreigners into their circle of friends. In addition, the country’s tropical climate with its uniform temperatures allows light, comfortable clothing throughout the year.
Expatriates and their families will enjoy a safe and comfortable living environment with 21st century amenities, good healthcare and medical facilities, excellent educational institutions, and world-class recreational and sports facilities at costs much lower than in their own countries.
One of the country’s most distinctive features is its rich diversity of cultures, a heritage derived from its racial mix of some of the world’s oldest civilisations – Malay, Chinese and Indian. This potpourri of race and culture has enabled Malaysians to speak at least two, and even three, languages – Malay (the national language), English, and their own mother tongue. Living in such a cosmopolitan environment, Malaysians are warm, friendly people who easily accept foreigners into their circle of friends.
Comfortable Housing
There is a wide selection of comfortable housing in Malaysia. According to a survey on expatriate living costs by the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce & Industry, monthly rentals for accommodation can range from as low as RM2,700 – 8,500 (US$762-2,398) for a furnished 3-bedroom condominium in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur to RM10,000 – 28,000 (US$2,821-7,900) for a luxury bungalow in the posh neighborhood of Kenny Hills nearer to the city.
Quality Education
There are over 30 international schools registered with the Ministry of Education. These schools are located in the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, and in the states of Johor, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak. They include American- and British-style international schools as well as French, German, Japanese and Taiwanese schools that have facilities for pre-school to college education.
Shopping
With the wide range of foodstuffs and consumer products available in the supermarkets and departmental stores, expatriate wives will find Malaysia a home-away-from-home. Establishments in Malaysia cater for every taste and budget and range from shopping malls to hypermarkets to specialty stores. A novelty for expatriates is the pasar malam or night market where hawker stalls sell almost anything from fresh fruits and vegetables to clothing and shoes. Malaysia is also a treasure chest of artifacts and antiques, and expatriates usually not only take back with them fond memories of their stay but also many a collector’s item as well .
An Unsurpassed Lifestyle
Life in Malaysia is an adventure. The year-long warm and sunny climate offers an unsurpassed lifestyle, especially for people who love the outdoors. Families can spend many an exciting weekend at Malaysia’s national parks with their magnificent rivers and mountains. Or fly to one of the many island retreats for snorkelling and scuba diving. Or drive for a game of golf in a cool hill resort. For people who prefer to be indoors, they can shop-until-they-drop in ultra-modern shopping complexes that offer the latest in designer fashions, leather goods and electronic items at very
competitive prices.
A not-to-be-missed attraction in the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur is the Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest building, where one can enjoy world-class performances in the acoustically-perfect Petronas Philharmonic Hall.
Where dining is concerned, Malaysia is one of the countries in the world where a family can afford to eat out almost everyday of the week. Depending on one’s budget, the choice of eating places can range from posh hotels and chic sidewalk cafes to fast-food joints and hawker stalls. No one ever gets bored from the limitless variety of cuisines available.
A Vibrant Business Environment
Malaysia’s market-oriented economy, supportive government policies and a large local business community that is ready to do business with international corporations have made Malaysia a highly competitive manufacturing and export base.
In addition, Malaysia’s rapid move towards the k-economy allows companies to do business in an environment that is geared towards information technology.
One of Malaysia’s major pull factors is its large pool of young, educated and trainable workforce. Many of Malaysia’s university graduates are trained overseas in fields such as engineering, and accountancy, allowing them to adapt easily to an international corporate environment.
English is widely used in Malaysia, especially in business thus facilitating the investor’s communication with local personnel and suppliers. The country’s legal and accounting practices derived from the British system are familiar to most international companies.
Malaysia is in its’ most radical transformation as it battles to achieve the Vision 2020. The transformation is visible on the political front, the public sector and among Malaysian business entities.
The Evolution of Healthcare
At present, Malaysia’s healthcare system is divided into two sectors—the public sector and the private sector. Doctors are generally required to complete three years of service in public hospitals throughout the nation, ensuring there is adequate cover for the general population. Foreign doctors are also encouraged to share their expertise in Malaysia.
Over the years, Malaysia has been continuously vigilant about her healthcare system. The presence of so many medical schools is enough to attest to the fact that Malaysia is serious about providing quality healthcare, not only to its citizens, but also to expatriates, tourists, migrants, and visitors.
Malaysia is also a popular destination for medical tourism. Prominent services include those relating to cardiology, dentistry, gastroenterology, screenings, general surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery.