Conjuring up all the mysteries of Asia, Malaysia is a former British colony that remains as colorful as ever. Beyond the lofty skyscrapers of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, its dramatic canvas is embroidered with tropical beaches, mountains, dense rainforest, and vividly green tea plantations.
Along with foreign expats from around the globe, the country is home to Malay Malays, Chinese Malays, Hindu Malays, and Sikh Malays. There are still traces of the British influence. Throughout the Muslim world, there’s probably no more liberal country.
Malaysia has great infrastructure and foreigners are allowed to own properties freehold, has no inheritance tax, and places no tax on income repatriated from overseas. There’s no property capital gain tax either.
Fast Facts
Population: 26,160,256 (July 2010 est.)
Capital City: Kuala Lumpur
Climate: Tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Time Zone: GMT +8 hours
Source: CIA World Fact Book
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Malaysia Articles
On the terrace of the grand, British colonial E & O Hotel, evening light flickers through the coconut grove as a warm breeze drifts in from the Straits of Malacca. I’m sipping a gin and tonic, watching the sun go down. This has become one of my regular habits since moving to the island of Penang, off the west coast of mainland Malaysia, over a year ago.
A round-up of the weird and wonderful events taking place around the world over the coming months.
A round-up of the weird and wonderful events taking place around the world over the coming months.
From steaks in Buenos Aires to tapas in Madrid, some cities are worth visiting for the food alone. Below, our writers give their tips and recommendations for eating well in 10 of the world’s culinary capitals. First up is Bangkok. Bangkok’s lower Sukhumvit Road area is an oft-missed foodie’s paradise.
My butler, dressed in a gold-leafed, mandarin-collared waistcoat, hands me a Jim Beam and Coke on the rocks. A woman wearing an elaborate silk gown bows her head as I enter the restaurant. A crooning piano player launches into “As Time Goes By” in a dimly-lit lounge bar next door…
It’s the stuff of dreams and fantasy-adventure stories—a bold rescue by the crew of an elegant ship.
For a little less than $18,000, Mary Percak-Dennett, the owner of a tanning salon in Wasilla, Alaska, got not only a successful knee replacement in Malaysia but also plenty of time to explore Penang on the northwest side of the country—its museums, fishing villages, brightly colored handmade batiks, a coffee factory, and the hawker stalls serving Malaysian cuisine that have caught the attention of foodies from all over the world.
It’s a sight to swoon over. As the plane dips down, there they are—strewn across the South China Sea like glittering emerald necklets. Glimpsing even a fraction of the Philippine’s 7,107 islands gives most visitors a visual knock-out
As I travel, I see many places that are compelling for talented entrepreneurs because of a combination of business opportunities, tax-advantaged corporate structures, and low cost of doing business. Here are some of those places
We survey 194 countries in our annual Quality of Life Index. How do we decide which of them should be on your radar screen for retirement? With an eye firmly on places where your dollars are likely to stretch, we send a scout to take a look.
Breathe it all in: incense fragrance from a Chinese temple; frangipani blossoms wafting though the balmy night air; the pungent aroma of fish drying on sidewalk racks. Everywhere is suffused with spices—ginger; nutmeg; cloves.
Cascades of silver lights twinkle from trees…red lanterns bob in celebration of Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox. I love dining on Jalan Alor street, but should it be Fu Xi’s again? Enough for two, his spiced clams are only $3.35.
How you take title to and hold a piece of real estate in another country can be as important as how much you pay for it. If you’re not careful, you could end up in a situation where your heirs have to go through probate in one or more foreign countries—something that, believe me, you don’t want them to have to do.
Whether your retirement is fast approaching or just something you find yourself often dreaming about, you’ve probably imagined spending it in some far-flung tropical haven. But moving to a country that you know little about is a lot of hassle, right? It’s probably not worth the time and effort, you think. Besides, all your family and friends are here.
The soaring coastline of Calabria, the towering skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur, and the high vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina are where it’s at
Although I’m not a shopper, numerous treasures from around the globe have somehow managed to insert themselves into my suitcase. Seeing what some of my favorite souvenirs sell for in the U.S., I’m staggered.
Consideration for others, not just foreigners, is a tradition in this country. Ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British for five centuries, “Malaya” became independent in 1957 and renamed itself Malaysia. Nature has been kind here.
