By Kul Bhushan
NRIs settled in Britain are sometimes called 'Coconuts' by some of their own social commentators. Brown from outside, 'Coconuts' are Indians who are white inside thus implying their 'Britishness' in their language, habits and thinking. Of course, tag is open to a lot of criticism but it does make a point: 'Coconuts' are Indians who have adopted the British way of life all the way and have joined the mainstream of their country's flow.
Most younger generations of NRIs were born in Britain or in other countries, educated and started to work there and so are totally 'British', American or like their compatriots where they live - in their speech, accent, dress, manners and behaviour. Some do stand out due to their religious symbols such as the turban, a beard or the veil. A full-scale controversy on Muslim women wearing a veil in public and at work has generated a stormy debate and court cases. Now Britain wants all newcomers who want to live in Britain to take a 'Britishness' test from next April.
UK Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: 'It is essential that migrants wishing to live in the UK permanently recognise that there are responsibilities that go with this. Having a good rasp of English is essential in order for them to play a full role in society and properly integrate into our communities.'
The decision came after the Home Office published research by the Centre for Migration Policy and Society at Oxford showing that the degree of public anxiety over immigration is closely linked to jobs and incomes rather than colour. When jobs are scarce, then the poor black and white groups resent newcomers. So it's not about colour but money.
NRIs in Britain have opposed this test but the British government now insists on it. It boils down melting with the majority of the population.
'The British ruled India for 200 years, did they learn Hindustani after they landed here?' argues Avinash Kaushik, who has lived abroad for over 45 years. 'Even without knowing English language or learning about Britishness, NRIs in Britain have worked hard, paid their taxes and contributed to the economy. So what is the need for this test?'
NRIs follow their own religions - mostly Hinduism, Sikhism or Islam. This means not only taking part in religious practices but also taking part in most social interactions -- that happens entirely with their own community. Thus they have little time or opportunity to move into or with the mainstream. NRIs have been accused of 'keeping aloof' in Africa, the Far East and the Middle East - not just in developed countries. But in the West, the younger generation that has grown up with the majority of the population makes friends easily, mixes with them and even marries them.
The US and many other developed countries have similar tests before granting citizenship but there are no such tests for NRIs in the Middle East, Africa and other countries.
Now - after the terror attacks - Britain has woken up to put into place some measures to integrate immigrants after allowing them in without any language test for over half a century. This has resulted in both educated and uneducated men and women from the subcontinent arriving in Britain without speaking English - and they immediately went to live in areas with a majority of their communities and never bothered to learn the language properly or make an effort to know about how most British people lived.
Now the newcomers will have to answer 24 multiple-choice questions and get at least 18 right. More than 180,000 people each year seek to settle in Britain, and they must pass this test. They can sit the test as many times as they need to - but for a fee. People over 65 will be exempt, and those with poor English can take a 'skills for life' and language course rather than taking the test.
A booklet 'Life in the UK' covers the material of the test but doubts have been raised if many - if not most - Britons can pass such a test. For example, why did large numbers of Jewish people come to Britain during 1880-1910? When did women first get the vote? How long was Britain at war during the Second World War? The answers are: To escape violence they faced at home, 1918, and six years. Then there are lifestyle questions like what would you do if you spill someone's pint of beer in the pub? Answer: Saying 'Sorry' is not enough; buy him/her another pint.
The US prides itself as 'a melting pot' of peoples and cultures while Britain promotes it 'multi-culturalism'. But the European nations have no such phrase to describe their immigrant peoples. So how about the label 'coconut'?
(A media consultant to a UN Agency, Kul Bhushan previously worked abroad as a newspaper editor and has travelled to over 55 countries. He lives in New Delhi and can be contacted at: kulbhushan2038@gmail.com)
Friday, December 15, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
India has killed 10 mln girls in 20 years - Renuka Chowdhury
By Palash Kumar
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Ten million girls have been killed by their parents in India in the past 20 years, either before they were born or immediately after, a government minister said on Thursday, describing it as a "national crisis".
A UNICEF report released this week said 7,000 fewer girls are born in the country every day than the global average would suggest, largely because female foetuses are aborted after sex determination tests but also through murder of new borns.
"It's shocking figures and we are in a national crisis if you ask me," Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury told Reuters.
Girls are seen as liabilities by many Indians, especially because of the banned but rampant practice of dowry, where the bride's parents pay cash and goods to the groom's family.
Men are also seen as bread-winners while social prejudices deny women opportunities for education and jobs.
"Today, we have the odd distinction of having lost 10 million girl children in the past 20 years," Chowdhury told a seminar in Delhi University.
"Who has killed these girl children? Their own parents."
In some states, the minister said, newborn girls have been killed by pouring sand or tobacco juice into their nostrils.
"The minute the child is born and she opens her mouth to cry, they put sand into her mouth and her nostrils so she chokes and dies," Chowdhury said, referring to cases in the western desert state of Rajasthan.
"They bury infants into pots alive and bury the pots. They put tobacco into her mouth. They hang them upside down like a bunch of flowers to dry," she said.
"We have more passion for tigers of this country. We have people fighting for stray dogs on the road. But you have a whole society that ruthlessly hunts down girl children."
According to the 2001 census, the national sex ratio was 933 girls to 1,000 boys, while in the worst-affected northern state of Punjab, it was 798 girls to 1,000 boys.
The ratio has fallen since 1991, due to the availability of ultrasound sex-determination tests.
Although these are illegal they are still widely available and often lead to abortion of girl foetuses.
Chowdhury said the fall in the number of females had cost one percent of India's GDP and created shortages of girls in some states like Haryana, where in one case four brothers had to marry one woman.
Economic empowerment of women was key to change, she said.
"Even today when you go to a temple, you are blessed with 'May you have many sons'," she said.
"The minute you empower them to earn more or equal (to men), social prejudices vanish."
The practice of killing the girl child is more prevalent among the educated, including in upmarket districts of New Delhi, making it more challenging for the government, the minister said.
"How do we tell educated people that you must not do it? And these are people who would visit all the female deities and pray for strength but don't hesitate to kill a girl child," she said.
Hindu priests pressed on abortions
AFP,Friday, December 15, 2006
NEW DELHI: India's Hindu priests came under criticism Friday for blessings about sons, seen as leading to the number of abortions of girls and skewed sex ratios across the country.
It is common for priests to bless young women by saying, "May you be the mother of a hundred sons", and many Hindus believe the soul will not find release unless a son performs his parents' last rites.
"The problem is very serious and is part of the deep mindset in India," Renuka Chowdhury, minister for women and child development, said.
"They have to stop giving blessings about sons," Chowdhury said. "They should bless couples with healthy children."
The remarks came the same week that the United Nations children's agency UNICEF said India was losing almost 7,000 girls a day, mostly due to sex-selective abortion.
Under Indian law, tests to find out the gender of an unborn baby are illegal if not done for medical reasons, but the practice continues in what activists say is a flourishing multi-million-dollar business.
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Ten million girls have been killed by their parents in India in the past 20 years, either before they were born or immediately after, a government minister said on Thursday, describing it as a "national crisis".
A UNICEF report released this week said 7,000 fewer girls are born in the country every day than the global average would suggest, largely because female foetuses are aborted after sex determination tests but also through murder of new borns.
"It's shocking figures and we are in a national crisis if you ask me," Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury told Reuters.
Girls are seen as liabilities by many Indians, especially because of the banned but rampant practice of dowry, where the bride's parents pay cash and goods to the groom's family.
Men are also seen as bread-winners while social prejudices deny women opportunities for education and jobs.
"Today, we have the odd distinction of having lost 10 million girl children in the past 20 years," Chowdhury told a seminar in Delhi University.
"Who has killed these girl children? Their own parents."
In some states, the minister said, newborn girls have been killed by pouring sand or tobacco juice into their nostrils.
"The minute the child is born and she opens her mouth to cry, they put sand into her mouth and her nostrils so she chokes and dies," Chowdhury said, referring to cases in the western desert state of Rajasthan.
"They bury infants into pots alive and bury the pots. They put tobacco into her mouth. They hang them upside down like a bunch of flowers to dry," she said.
"We have more passion for tigers of this country. We have people fighting for stray dogs on the road. But you have a whole society that ruthlessly hunts down girl children."
According to the 2001 census, the national sex ratio was 933 girls to 1,000 boys, while in the worst-affected northern state of Punjab, it was 798 girls to 1,000 boys.
The ratio has fallen since 1991, due to the availability of ultrasound sex-determination tests.
Although these are illegal they are still widely available and often lead to abortion of girl foetuses.
Chowdhury said the fall in the number of females had cost one percent of India's GDP and created shortages of girls in some states like Haryana, where in one case four brothers had to marry one woman.
Economic empowerment of women was key to change, she said.
"Even today when you go to a temple, you are blessed with 'May you have many sons'," she said.
"The minute you empower them to earn more or equal (to men), social prejudices vanish."
The practice of killing the girl child is more prevalent among the educated, including in upmarket districts of New Delhi, making it more challenging for the government, the minister said.
"How do we tell educated people that you must not do it? And these are people who would visit all the female deities and pray for strength but don't hesitate to kill a girl child," she said.
Hindu priests pressed on abortions
AFP,Friday, December 15, 2006
NEW DELHI: India's Hindu priests came under criticism Friday for blessings about sons, seen as leading to the number of abortions of girls and skewed sex ratios across the country.
It is common for priests to bless young women by saying, "May you be the mother of a hundred sons", and many Hindus believe the soul will not find release unless a son performs his parents' last rites.
"The problem is very serious and is part of the deep mindset in India," Renuka Chowdhury, minister for women and child development, said.
"They have to stop giving blessings about sons," Chowdhury said. "They should bless couples with healthy children."
The remarks came the same week that the United Nations children's agency UNICEF said India was losing almost 7,000 girls a day, mostly due to sex-selective abortion.
Under Indian law, tests to find out the gender of an unborn baby are illegal if not done for medical reasons, but the practice continues in what activists say is a flourishing multi-million-dollar business.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Malaysia : Chennai visitors no longer entitled to visa-on-arrival programme
PUTRAJAYA: Visitors from Chennai, India, are no longer eligible for the visa-on-arrival (VOA) when they land in Malaysia.
They now have to obtain their visas in their own country before entering Malaysia, said Home Affairs Ministers Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad. The ruling took effect from Nov 29.
The VOA, introduced for 24 countries requiring a visa to enter Malaysia was enforced on Sept 1, and available with a RM100 fee at immigration counters. It is valid for a month.
It was introduced to draw an expected 21 million people during the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 period. Among the countries are China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Up to Nov 6, over 14,500 visitors had applied for the VOA, of which more than 10,000 were from India.
The others were from China (1,634), Sri Lanka (980), Bangladesh (862) and Pakistan (796).
Records showed that 2,789 Indian tourists had overstayed, followed by 355 from China.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the Cabinet decided last week that the VOA would no longer be issued to those from Chennai as too many of them had over stayed.
“Due to many of them remaining in the country after the visa expired, I submitted a Cabinet paper to put a stop to it. The Cabinet agreed.
“I do not know how long the VOA freeze will be on those from Chennai but the number of overstaying tourists will be monitored from time to time,” he told reporters after launch ing the Biometrics Security System and the ministry’s Immigration Identity Card, cre ated by Multimedia Glory Sdn Bhd, here Friday.
Under the biometrics system the fingerprints of foreign workers are recorded to ensure they are legal workers right from the time they leave their country of origin.
It takes about 0.5 seconds to read the fingerprints, which, he said, was faster than the American system, which took about 40 seconds.
Workers from Bangladesh have been using the system for a year and it has been found to be successful in detecting many illegal workers, he said, adding that it will soon be introduced to workers from other source countries.
“There are about 1.9 million foreign workers in the country with illegal workers numbering between 500,000 and 700,000,” said Radzi.
He plans to have the system at the National Registration Department to enable all min istries and agencies to retrieve data of all Malaysians from one single platform.
On the Immigration Identity Card, he said, it had high security features and that students, workers from various sectors and those regarding Malaysia their second home would be issued with separate cards dif ferentiated by colours.
Workers who renewed their permits next year will be issued with the new cards while issuance of new cards for others will start with university students first, who numbered about 40,000, he said
They now have to obtain their visas in their own country before entering Malaysia, said Home Affairs Ministers Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad. The ruling took effect from Nov 29.
The VOA, introduced for 24 countries requiring a visa to enter Malaysia was enforced on Sept 1, and available with a RM100 fee at immigration counters. It is valid for a month.
It was introduced to draw an expected 21 million people during the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 period. Among the countries are China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Up to Nov 6, over 14,500 visitors had applied for the VOA, of which more than 10,000 were from India.
The others were from China (1,634), Sri Lanka (980), Bangladesh (862) and Pakistan (796).
Records showed that 2,789 Indian tourists had overstayed, followed by 355 from China.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the Cabinet decided last week that the VOA would no longer be issued to those from Chennai as too many of them had over stayed.
“Due to many of them remaining in the country after the visa expired, I submitted a Cabinet paper to put a stop to it. The Cabinet agreed.
“I do not know how long the VOA freeze will be on those from Chennai but the number of overstaying tourists will be monitored from time to time,” he told reporters after launch ing the Biometrics Security System and the ministry’s Immigration Identity Card, cre ated by Multimedia Glory Sdn Bhd, here Friday.
Under the biometrics system the fingerprints of foreign workers are recorded to ensure they are legal workers right from the time they leave their country of origin.
It takes about 0.5 seconds to read the fingerprints, which, he said, was faster than the American system, which took about 40 seconds.
Workers from Bangladesh have been using the system for a year and it has been found to be successful in detecting many illegal workers, he said, adding that it will soon be introduced to workers from other source countries.
“There are about 1.9 million foreign workers in the country with illegal workers numbering between 500,000 and 700,000,” said Radzi.
He plans to have the system at the National Registration Department to enable all min istries and agencies to retrieve data of all Malaysians from one single platform.
On the Immigration Identity Card, he said, it had high security features and that students, workers from various sectors and those regarding Malaysia their second home would be issued with separate cards dif ferentiated by colours.
Workers who renewed their permits next year will be issued with the new cards while issuance of new cards for others will start with university students first, who numbered about 40,000, he said
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Around 11,000 Indians living in Greece
ATHENS, Dec. 7 (IPS) - Immigration and dealing with migrant workers has perennially been a problem for countries across Europe, but nowhere more than in Greece. Huge problems remain unsolved while the country attempts to match the requirements of EU law.
Among the new workers coming in are several from India. The interior ministry estimates their number to be around 11,000.
"Indian people have contributed to Greece and they are good workers, but many are employed in the black economy where they have no rights and have no access to pensions and social security," Maghar Gandhi, president of the Greek-Indian Cultural Association told IPS.
"There is suffering, only about 60 to 70 percent have entitlement to social security, and just 30 percent have families here now."
A slow bureaucracy means progress comes at a snail-like pace, he said. Typically Indians are recruited legally, but after the initial six-month permit has expired, many are left with 'no man's land' status, he said.
"The main problem is the paperwork, some have been waiting for over five years to gain residence permits, and there is also a huge fee of about 900 Euros."
Most workers from the Indian subcontinent work in the agriculture sector, which accounts for 10 percent of the gross national income (GNI). Invariably, they are poorly paid and work in difficult conditions.
Among the new workers coming in are several from India. The interior ministry estimates their number to be around 11,000.
"Indian people have contributed to Greece and they are good workers, but many are employed in the black economy where they have no rights and have no access to pensions and social security," Maghar Gandhi, president of the Greek-Indian Cultural Association told IPS.
"There is suffering, only about 60 to 70 percent have entitlement to social security, and just 30 percent have families here now."
A slow bureaucracy means progress comes at a snail-like pace, he said. Typically Indians are recruited legally, but after the initial six-month permit has expired, many are left with 'no man's land' status, he said.
"The main problem is the paperwork, some have been waiting for over five years to gain residence permits, and there is also a huge fee of about 900 Euros."
Most workers from the Indian subcontinent work in the agriculture sector, which accounts for 10 percent of the gross national income (GNI). Invariably, they are poorly paid and work in difficult conditions.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
India is a poorest one in Per Capita Household Wealth : UN Report
The richest 2% of adults in the world own more than half of global household wealth according to a path-breaking study released today by the Helsinki-based World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University (UNU-WIDER). Under the study, India's average per capita net worth was only 24.7 per cent of the world average, and its GDP was 29.2 % of the world average.
India is categorized under the last group consists of 64 low-income countries. This group's collective household net worth on a PPP basis amounted to 8.3 per cent of world wealth, compared to 39.9 per cent of the world’s population and 11.3 per cent of world GDP.
Of the 13 countries for which we have the pertinent data, the US again ranks first in net worth per capita, at $143,857, followed on a PPP basis by Australia at $101,597, and Japan at $91,856. In this group, India is last, at $6,513 on a PPP basis and $1,112 on an exchange rate basis, preceded by Indonesia, at $7,973 on a PPP basis and $1,440 using official exchange rates. China appears to be about twice as wealthy as India, having per capita net worth of $11,267 on a PPP basis or 2,613 using official exchange rates.
Download the full study: WIDER WDHW (PDF 1,167KB), Powerpoint presentation (PPT 7,003KB)
$144,000 per Capita household wealth in the USA
$1,100 per Capita household wealth in India
The US is the richest country, with mean wealth estimated at $144,000 per person in the year 2000.4 At the opposite extreme among countries with wealth data, we have India with per capita wealth of about $6,500 in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. The two low income countries in our sample, India and Indonesia, stand out as having particularly high shares of non-financial wealth.12 This is no surprise since assets such as housing, land, agricultural assets and consumer durables are particularly important in many developing countries. In addition, financial markets are often poorly developed. In India, the only low or middle income country for which we have some detail on financial assets, most of the financial assets owned by households are liquid.India is categorized under the last group consists of 64 low-income countries. This group's collective household net worth on a PPP basis amounted to 8.3 per cent of world wealth, compared to 39.9 per cent of the world’s population and 11.3 per cent of world GDP.
Of the 13 countries for which we have the pertinent data, the US again ranks first in net worth per capita, at $143,857, followed on a PPP basis by Australia at $101,597, and Japan at $91,856. In this group, India is last, at $6,513 on a PPP basis and $1,112 on an exchange rate basis, preceded by Indonesia, at $7,973 on a PPP basis and $1,440 using official exchange rates. China appears to be about twice as wealthy as India, having per capita net worth of $11,267 on a PPP basis or 2,613 using official exchange rates.
Download the full study: WIDER WDHW (PDF 1,167KB), Powerpoint presentation (PPT 7,003KB)
Monday, December 4, 2006
India lost 181.82 crores because of strikes and lockouts
Sutirtho Patranobis, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, December 4, 2006
The numbers are worrying. India lost 13.75 million man-days and incurred Rs 181.82 crore as production-related losses because of strikes and lockouts in the first nine months of 2006, data with Ministry of Labour and Employment has revealed.
The Ministry, however, says the lining of hope is the reduction in the number of strikes and lockouts as compared to 2005 or even 2004. The total number of strikes and lockouts till September 2005 were 397. The corresponding figure for this year is 346.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes told Lok Sabha on Monday that there was no proposal to review the existing mechanism; to avoid strikes as the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 provides a mechanism to maintain harmonious relationship between employer and employee.
The Act provides a framework for investigation and settlement of the Industrial disputes. It also seeks to regulate illegal strikes and lockouts, and provides protection to the workmen in case of lay-off, retrenchment and closure of establishments.
The declining trend in strikes and lockouts was around 4 per cent in 2005 compared to 2004. During 2004, the rate was 13 per cent as compared to 2003.
West Bengal, though its government is considered to be a progressive one at present, is an easy first among states in terms of losing out on man-days. In 2005, West Bengal was responsible for the loss of 13.99 million man-days or 60.15 per cent of the total man-days lost. In 2004 too, West Bengal led accounting for 17.56 million man-days.
A Ministry official said the definition of a man-day may vary from one company to the other, but on average it comprises a working day of eight hours. He added that while employees trigger strikes, the employer puts lockouts in force. ``Reasons for a lockout could vary from weakening demand of the company's product, resulting losses or indiscipline on the part of workers,'' he said.
The official said the last few years have seen comparative industrial peace with none of the major strikes - with the possible exception of state bank employees' strike that lasted for a few days - having an impact on general life.
New Delhi, December 4, 2006
The numbers are worrying. India lost 13.75 million man-days and incurred Rs 181.82 crore as production-related losses because of strikes and lockouts in the first nine months of 2006, data with Ministry of Labour and Employment has revealed.
The Ministry, however, says the lining of hope is the reduction in the number of strikes and lockouts as compared to 2005 or even 2004. The total number of strikes and lockouts till September 2005 were 397. The corresponding figure for this year is 346.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes told Lok Sabha on Monday that there was no proposal to review the existing mechanism; to avoid strikes as the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 provides a mechanism to maintain harmonious relationship between employer and employee.
The Act provides a framework for investigation and settlement of the Industrial disputes. It also seeks to regulate illegal strikes and lockouts, and provides protection to the workmen in case of lay-off, retrenchment and closure of establishments.
The declining trend in strikes and lockouts was around 4 per cent in 2005 compared to 2004. During 2004, the rate was 13 per cent as compared to 2003.
West Bengal, though its government is considered to be a progressive one at present, is an easy first among states in terms of losing out on man-days. In 2005, West Bengal was responsible for the loss of 13.99 million man-days or 60.15 per cent of the total man-days lost. In 2004 too, West Bengal led accounting for 17.56 million man-days.
A Ministry official said the definition of a man-day may vary from one company to the other, but on average it comprises a working day of eight hours. He added that while employees trigger strikes, the employer puts lockouts in force. ``Reasons for a lockout could vary from weakening demand of the company's product, resulting losses or indiscipline on the part of workers,'' he said.
The official said the last few years have seen comparative industrial peace with none of the major strikes - with the possible exception of state bank employees' strike that lasted for a few days - having an impact on general life.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Making Malaysia 2nd home plan more attractive
THE Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme has been in the news again.
The M2H programme was re-launched with new and better incentives (effective from April this year) such as the 10-year social visit pass and multiple-entry visa for successful applicants. After 10 years, it is guaranteed renewable provided the MM2H participants do not violate the laws and rules of this country.
They are also free to stay in Malaysia as often as they like during the 10 years.
They can also import their own car or buy a new one tax-free and they can bring in a maid to Malaysia. Their school-going children will be given student passes to further their studies at international colleges and universities.
Another benefit is that they can obtain up to 80% housing loan as compared with the normal 60% for foreign applicants. There is also no need to obtain Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) approval for purchasing properties in Malaysia.
To qualify for the MM2H programme, successful applicants, single or married, need to open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000 for those aged below 50 years and a fixed deposit of RM150,000 or show proof of monthly off-shore income of RM10,000 for those 50 years and above.
Participants are allowed to withdraw from their fixed deposit account after one year, but withdrawals must be related to house purchase, education for their children in Malaysia and medical purposes. Participants must also maintain a minimum of RM60,000 from the second year onwards and throughout their stay in Malaysia under the programme.
Each participant is allowed to purchase up to two units of residential houses at a minimum price of RM150,000 to RM350,000 and above each, depending on the location of the property (RM350,000 and above each for certain areas in Sarawak; RM250,000 and above each in Penang, Malacca and Johor; and RM150,000 and above in other states).
Some quarters have lauded the Government’s pro-active move to attract more such foreign retirees to our shores. However, there are also those who feel that the fixed deposit account should be raised to US$500,000 (RM1.84mil) to ensure that the programme attracts the right target groups.
Those advocating it may do it for their own self-interest, as they may want only the rich foreigners to buy their high-end homes.
Now, allow me to give my observations.
Fact 1: Malaysia with its bountiful natural surroundings (beaches, greenery and tropical rainforest), and plenty of sunshine with no natural calamities is a very attractive place for foreign tourists. It is also an ideal place to spend one’s retirement, as the cost of living is comparatively lower than in many countries.
This is not to mention our hospitable nature, good food and modern amenities, and infrastructure. We also have a wide range of good residential properties from condominiums to elegant houses within a gated and guarded community for our foreign guests to buy.
Fact 2: There are many foreigners who are seriously contemplating making Malaysia not just their second home but their permanent home, too. They are keen but unsure whom to approach and what the latest regulations are because rules keep changing.
However, is this the whole and honest picture that we are presenting to foreigners? I looked through one of the MM2H websites and it was mentioned that our crime rate was relatively low.
Fact 3: I do not think our crime rate is low. Cases of snatch thefts, robberies and what have you are becoming very rampant these days. More and more people are living in fear even in their own “fortress” and such homes have been burgled (as reported in a recent case in Sri Hartamas).
In order to make Malaysia an attractive place to live in, we must tackle the crime issue first. I know of Malaysians who are so fed up with being robbed that they are planning to leave this country.
Fact 4: The terrible haze that envelops us every year for the past 10 years or so is driving Malaysians up the wall. Are foreigners ready for this?
Fact 5: Why the rule on fixed deposit when thousands of illegal foreigners have set up their “second homes” here for free? It is understood that many of them have stayed in Malaysia for years and a few have waved their MyKad at me and assimilated into
the community.
Having said that, I feel the new financial requirement is quite adequate to enable the average foreigner to afford our homes.
Perhaps, extra incentives like eventually giving permanent resident status or even citizenship to high net worth individuals who bring in a higher amount under the MM2H programme.
Allow these participants to rent out their properties. After all, their Malaysian property is supposed to be their second home and it may be left vacant when they return to their first home.
For More Details, Visit
http://www.imi.gov.my/ENG/im_MalaysiaMy2Home.asp
http://mm2h.motour.gov.my/cms/index.php?n=en
The M2H programme was re-launched with new and better incentives (effective from April this year) such as the 10-year social visit pass and multiple-entry visa for successful applicants. After 10 years, it is guaranteed renewable provided the MM2H participants do not violate the laws and rules of this country.
They are also free to stay in Malaysia as often as they like during the 10 years.
They can also import their own car or buy a new one tax-free and they can bring in a maid to Malaysia. Their school-going children will be given student passes to further their studies at international colleges and universities.
Another benefit is that they can obtain up to 80% housing loan as compared with the normal 60% for foreign applicants. There is also no need to obtain Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) approval for purchasing properties in Malaysia.
To qualify for the MM2H programme, successful applicants, single or married, need to open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000 for those aged below 50 years and a fixed deposit of RM150,000 or show proof of monthly off-shore income of RM10,000 for those 50 years and above.
Participants are allowed to withdraw from their fixed deposit account after one year, but withdrawals must be related to house purchase, education for their children in Malaysia and medical purposes. Participants must also maintain a minimum of RM60,000 from the second year onwards and throughout their stay in Malaysia under the programme.
Each participant is allowed to purchase up to two units of residential houses at a minimum price of RM150,000 to RM350,000 and above each, depending on the location of the property (RM350,000 and above each for certain areas in Sarawak; RM250,000 and above each in Penang, Malacca and Johor; and RM150,000 and above in other states).
Some quarters have lauded the Government’s pro-active move to attract more such foreign retirees to our shores. However, there are also those who feel that the fixed deposit account should be raised to US$500,000 (RM1.84mil) to ensure that the programme attracts the right target groups.
Those advocating it may do it for their own self-interest, as they may want only the rich foreigners to buy their high-end homes.
Now, allow me to give my observations.
Fact 1: Malaysia with its bountiful natural surroundings (beaches, greenery and tropical rainforest), and plenty of sunshine with no natural calamities is a very attractive place for foreign tourists. It is also an ideal place to spend one’s retirement, as the cost of living is comparatively lower than in many countries.
This is not to mention our hospitable nature, good food and modern amenities, and infrastructure. We also have a wide range of good residential properties from condominiums to elegant houses within a gated and guarded community for our foreign guests to buy.
Fact 2: There are many foreigners who are seriously contemplating making Malaysia not just their second home but their permanent home, too. They are keen but unsure whom to approach and what the latest regulations are because rules keep changing.
However, is this the whole and honest picture that we are presenting to foreigners? I looked through one of the MM2H websites and it was mentioned that our crime rate was relatively low.
Fact 3: I do not think our crime rate is low. Cases of snatch thefts, robberies and what have you are becoming very rampant these days. More and more people are living in fear even in their own “fortress” and such homes have been burgled (as reported in a recent case in Sri Hartamas).
In order to make Malaysia an attractive place to live in, we must tackle the crime issue first. I know of Malaysians who are so fed up with being robbed that they are planning to leave this country.
Fact 4: The terrible haze that envelops us every year for the past 10 years or so is driving Malaysians up the wall. Are foreigners ready for this?
Fact 5: Why the rule on fixed deposit when thousands of illegal foreigners have set up their “second homes” here for free? It is understood that many of them have stayed in Malaysia for years and a few have waved their MyKad at me and assimilated into
the community.
Having said that, I feel the new financial requirement is quite adequate to enable the average foreigner to afford our homes.
Perhaps, extra incentives like eventually giving permanent resident status or even citizenship to high net worth individuals who bring in a higher amount under the MM2H programme.
Allow these participants to rent out their properties. After all, their Malaysian property is supposed to be their second home and it may be left vacant when they return to their first home.
For More Details, Visit
http://www.imi.gov.my/ENG/im_MalaysiaMy2Home.asp
http://mm2h.motour.gov.my/cms/index.php?n=en
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