Chinese nationals can buy Forest City units, but no residential visas, says Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR (September 5): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has confirmed that Chinese nationals may purchase residential units at Forest City, but visas will not be issued to them.

“They can buy the property, but we would not give them visas to come and live here,” he said, as quoted by The Star.

Last week, following reports that Mahathir had said foreigners will be barred from buying the Forest City properties in Johor, the Prime Minister's Officer clarified that purchase of the properties will not guarantee automatic residency in Malaysia.

Malaysia imposes “conditions and information” upon foreigners purchasing properties, without regard to their nationality.

The Johor state government’s Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian was quoted as saying that "Johor does not discriminate or segregate foreign investors or property buyers according to regions or countries of origin.”

However, home buyers were still subject to rules and regulations, including within Iskandar Malaysia’s economic growth corridor.

“The policies are already in place and clearly indicate they are only allowed to buy houses priced RM1mil or above,” he said.