Thread by @thealepalombo

This is Malaysia:

- 0% tax on foreign income until 2036
- Nearly half the cost of living of Singapore
- Tiered nomad visa: Silver, Gold, Platinum (5, 15, 20 years)

Many consider it one of THE global hidden gems.

Here are 7 reasons why Malaysia is SE Asia’s best-kept secret:

Malaysia has an amazing history with:

- Indian influences (Hinduism & Buddhism)
- The rise of the Malacca Sultanate, a global trade hub
- Post-WWII independence and modernization

After being colonized several times over, they eventually earned independence:

This nation has been quietly punching way above its weight:

- A larger economy than Denmark
- Southeast Asia's 4th largest economy
- Ranks 33rd in the Global Innovation Index 2024

Yet, it’s still underrated.

Here are 7 reasons why Malaysia deserves your attention:

1. Tax Benefits:

- Foreign-sourced income tax exemption for individuals extended until 2036
- No inheritance tax
- Corporate tax standard rate of 24% (lower rates available for some)

Plus, special economic zones like Iskandar offer up to 10 years tax exemption.

2. Visas & Immigration:

- DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass: 12-month stay, renewable
- Employment Pass: For those earning >RM5,000/month
- MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home): Tiered system with 5, 15, or 20-year visas

@NomadCapitalist explains the tiers here:

3. Elite Proximity:

- 1 hour from Singapore
- 5-6 hours from major Asian hubs
- Part of China's Belt and Road Initiative

It’s also proving itself to be a top player in ASEAN's 600M+ market:

4. Digital Infrastructure:

- 5G rollout in major cities
- Major tech companies establishing hubs (Google to invest $2bn)
- Digital economy projected to reach $31 billion in GMV in 2024

Why? Cheap land, fast approval times for investors, & an excellent exchange rate:

5. English Proficiency:

- 57.3% English speaking population
- Business conducted in English
- Smooth integration for expats

In fact, some of their native language is already oddly similar to English…

6. Business Environment:

- Digital-first economy push (digital economy contributed 23.2% to its GDP in 2021)
- 100% foreign ownership in most sectors
- Company setup in 5-10 days
- Strong IP protection laws

7. Cost of Living vs. Quality of Life:

- Kuala Lumpur: $900+/month
- George Town: $700+/month
- Langkawi: $600+/month

Malaysia offers an incredible lifestyle at around half the cost of the US and UK.

Here’s how one ex-pat handles his spending every month:

But there are potential challenges to consider:

- Political changes can be frequent
- Bureaucracy in government processes
- Air quality issues during certain seasons

But in the near future, the pros could outweigh the cons for most.

Malaysia vs. Global Standards:

- Healthcare ranked highly, with several hospitals among the best globally
- Broadband speed faster than many developed nations
- Lower crime than the global average

This nation is competing on an international level.

So, who is Malaysia For?

- Digital nomads chasing low living costs
- Entrepreneurs tapping into SE Asia markets
- Retirees enjoying low-cost, world-class healthcare
- Investors targeting tech and real estate growth

For opportunity and affordability, Malaysia is very strong!

Have you ever had a place you’ve never visited but are absolutely interested in, and it keeps coming up in conversations or online?

That’s Malaysia for me.

There’s a LOT of buzz around it.

From a Western perspective, there are often many misconceptions about Asian cities.

If I were in a different phase of life, like indie hacking or launching a startup, I’d definitely choose Asia for its low monthly costs.

It’s a blend of adventure and efficiency.

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Thank you for reading!

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