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KL EXPATS NEWS LOGO
DR. RALPH R. KLEMP

Welcome to our first Newsletter

 I am Ralph R. Klemp, the founder of the KL Expats group on Facebook, which has reached in 14 years over 181.000 members and is heading straight to the 200,000-member mark, probably within this year. I, myself, am a multiethnic, multireligious, multicultural Expat since birth.

Living in Malaysia: A Snapshot of Current Affairs

As Malaysia continues to evolve, expats in Kuala Lumpur are witnessing dynamic shifts in politics, climate, and socio-economic issues. Here’s a quick overview of the landscape in 2025.

MM2H  latest updates (oct 2024)

The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa is a long-term residency program that allows foreigners to live in Malaysia under specific conditions. Here are the latest updates and requirements:

WHAT IS MADANI ?

Malaysia Madani is a policy framework introduced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to guide Malaysia’s development with a focus on good governance, sustainability, and racial harmony.

Malaysia Updates on
New Immigration Policies and Processes

New Immigration Policies – Malaysia has introduced updates to its immigration processes, including stricter requirements for Employment Pass renewals and category changes

THE TRANSFORMATION OF BANGSAR:  FROM PLANTATION TO PREMIER NEIGHBORHOOD

Bangsar, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most vibrant neighborhoods, has a fascinating history that dates back to the early 20th century when it was a rubber plantation.

James Brooke: The White Rajah of Sarawak

Sir James Brooke (1803–1868) was a British adventurer who became the first White Rajah of Sarawak, ruling from 1841 to 1868. His legacy is a fascinating mix of colonial ambition, governance, and reform, shaping Sarawak’s early development.

Malaysia's global rankings vary across different sectors:

35th globally in GDP.

12th in ease of doing business

53rd on the Fragile States Index

7.2 on the Human Rights and Rule of Law Index

MALAYSIAN EXCELLENCE

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Malaysia has established itself as a global leader in several industries, producing high-quality products that compete internationally. Here are some key areas where Malaysia excels and which are worthy of being looked at for eventual investmentsnot least in consideration for the current trade tariff war

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Sir Stamford Raffles:

Architect of Modern Southeast Asia

Sir Stamford Raffles (1781–1826) was a British colonial administrator whose vision and ambition left a lasting imprint on Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore and Indonesia. His name is synonymous with the founding of modern Singapore, but his legacy also stretches across Java and the British administration of the region.

SARAWAK PEPPER

SARAWAK PEPPER is highly regarded for its superior quality and distinct flavour, making it one of Malaysia’s most prized agricultural exports. Here are some references and descriptions appraising Sarawak pepper

The Petronas Twin Towers:

A Symbol of Malaysia’s Ambition

The Petronas Twin Towers, soaring 451.9 meters (1,482.6 feet) above Kuala Lumpur, are Malaysia’s most iconic skyscrapers. Designed by Argentine-American architect César Pelli, the towers were commissioned by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister, to symbolize the country’s emergence as a global economic power.

MALAYSIA

EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS IN IN 2025

Malaysia has several exciting developments lined up for 2025: Mega Infrastructure Projects: Major projects like Bandar Malaysia, Penang South Island, and the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR)

Economic & Legislative Changes: updates in tax regulations and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
Property Market Growth particularly in Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor.

UPCOMING FESTIVALS, CONCERTS, AND CONFERENCES IN MALAYSIA FOR 2025

Festivals

•             Rainforest World Music Festival (June 20-22)

•             Deepavali (October 20).

Concerts

•             Kenny G Timeless Legacy Tour (July 13.

•             Red Velvet’s Irene & Seulgi BALANCE Tour (September 13)

•             Korean OST Concert KOSTCON 2025 (October 25)

Conferences

•             ASEAN Business Summit 2025 (October 25-26)

•             Green Energy Expo Malaysia 2025 (October 15-17

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Summary of the upcoming art exhibitions, fairs, and private galleries

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Art Exhibitions & Fairs

  • Malaysia International Jewellery Fair (MIJF) – June 27-30

  • Malaysia Gifts Fair – June 24-26

  • International Beauty Expo – June 2-5

  • Archidex 2025 – July 21-26

  • Asia Pop Culture Convention – November 8-9

  • Cardcaptor Sakura Exhibition – April 12 - June 11

Private Art Galleries

  • Younie Gallery – Ongoing exhibitions

  • UR-MU (Urban Museum) – Ongoing exhibitions

  • Malaysian Institute of Art – Ongoing exhibitions

  • The Private Gallery – Ongoing exhibitions

  • Wei-Ling Gallery – Ongoing exhibitions

Auctions for bargain hunters

Here are some upcoming art, property, and car auctions in Malaysia for 2025:

Art Auctions

  • Malaysian & Southeast Asian Art Auction – April 20, 2025, KEN Gallery, Menara KEN TTDI, Kuala Lumpur.

  • KLAS Art Auction – November 2025, KL Lifestyle Art Space, Petaling Jaya.

  • Younie's Auction – Various dates, Aurora Place, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

  • Asian Ace Art Auctions – Various dates, Wisma Central, Kuala Lumpur.

Property Auctions

  • LelongTips Property Auctions – Various dates, nationwide.

  • Auction List Malaysia – May 13, 2025, multiple locations.

  • Maybank Property Auction – May 15, May 28, June 17, 2025, various locations.

Car Auctions

  • Pickles Asia Auctions – Various dates, Petaling Jaya.

  • MUV Car Auctions – Various dates, Seri Kembangan.

  • Inter Pacific Auto Auction – Various dates, Pandan Perdana.

  • CIMB Auto Auction – May 7, May 10, May 14, May 17, May 21, May 24, May 28, 2025, various locations.

Would you like more details on any specific auction? 😊

Cost of Living & Housing Trends in Malaysia

Over the past five years, Malaysia's housing market has seen moderate price increases, with fluctuations due to economic conditions:

2025-2027: House prices are expected to rise between 1.5% and 3% annually, depending on economic stability.

Increasing Demand for High-End Living – More buyers are looking for luxury condos with top-tier amenities, especially in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

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