KUALA LUMPUR: Property buyers from China topped foreign residential transactions in Malaysia during the first half of 2025, recording the highest number of purchases with 329 deals worth RM834.64 million.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said this was followed by Singapore, with 320 transactions worth RM518.27 million, and India, with 47 transactions valued at RM87.16 million.
The United Kingdom recorded 20 transfers worth RM40.26 million.
“According to the residential property transaction report by state and ethnic groups for the first half of 2025, issued by the Department of Valuation and Property Services, property transactions by non-citizens amounted to 913 transactions valued at RM1.904 billion.
“This represents 0.76 per cent of the total number of transactions and 3.8 per cent of the total transaction value.
“Other countries in the top 10 were Indonesia (20 transactions, RM24.86 million), Hong Kong (15 transactions, RM30.27 million), the United States (14 transactions, RM41.11 million), Korea (13 transactions, RM27.67 million), Taiwan (12 transactions, RM20.34 million) and Australia (10 transactions, RM25.27 million),” Nga said in a written parliamentary reply today.
Nga was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran) regarding foreign homeownership in Malaysia, the top 10 countries of origin, and the main requirements for ownership.
He said Malaysian citizens accounted for 119,394 property transactions worth RM47.47 billion, showing that the domestic property market remains dominated by local buyers.
“Through the 2026 Budget, the government plans to increase the stamp duty rate on residential property transfers by foreign citizens and foreign-owned companies to a flat rate of eight per cent, compared with four per cent previously.
“This will boost government revenue from stamp duty payments on residential property transfers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nga also said the policy on foreign property ownership falls under the jurisdiction of state governments.
“Decisions regarding sales, whether to citizens or foreigners, as well as Bumiputera quotas or sale prices for foreign buyers, are under state government authority.
“The ministry is ready to collaborate with state governments, particularly in the housing sector, to ensure benefits are enjoyed by the rakyat,” he said.
He said the ministry’s priority is to ensure all citizens have access to housing, either through ownership or rental, under the concept of housing as shelter for all, in line with the National Housing Policy (2018–2025).
“The Madani government will continue to implement various initiatives to ensure that the people have access to quality and affordable housing,” he said.
Source: New Straits Times （26 November 2025)