Percentage (%) of foreign ownership of property in Malaysia in 2024 & 2025H1
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s residential property market remains overwhelmingly driven by domestic buyers, with transactions involving non-citizens （foreign purchase) making up less than 1% of total volume in the first half of the year, says Nga Kor Ming. Foreign purchase of property in Malaysia in 2024 and first half of 2025 remain relatively stable.
The Housing and Local Government Minister said non-citizens made 913 transactions worth RM1.904bil, or 0.76% of total transactions and 3.8% of total transaction value, according to the Residential Property Transactions by State and Ethnic Group, Malaysia, H1 2025 report.
It was released by the Valuation and Property Services Department.
"In contrast, Malaysian citizens undertook 119,394 transactions worth RM47.47bil.
"These figures clearly show that our local property market continues to be dominated by domestic buyers," he said in a parliamentary written reply dated Monday (Nov 17).
Nga said buyers from China topped the foreign category with 329 transactions worth RM834.65mil, followed by Singapore with 320 transactions (RM518.27mil) and India with 47 transactions (RM87.16mil).
Other top purchasers came from the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Hong Kong, the United States, South Korea, Taiwan and Australia.
The minister said the Federal Government, through Budget 2026, has proposed raising the stamp duty rate on transfers of residential property by foreign individuals and foreign-owned companies to a flat 8%, up from 4% previously.
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"This proactive step will enhance government revenue from stamp duty on foreign property transfers.
"More importantly, it provides a mechanism to regulate the property market and ensure that home ownership remains within reach for Malaysians, without significantly affecting foreign investment appeal," he said.
Nga stressed that foreign property ownership policies fall under the jurisdiction of state governments, which decide on matters such as sale approvals, minimum price thresholds and bumiputra quotas.
"Nonetheless, the ministry stands ready to work with state governments, especially on housing-related matters, so that the benefits reach the people," he said.
He added that the ministry's priority remains ensuring that every Malaysian has a place to live, whether through ownership or rental, in line with the National Housing Policy 2018-2025.
The policy aims to provide inclusive, high-quality and affordable homes that enhance the people’s well-being.
Source : The Star. Nov 18, 2025
Question : How many of these foreign ownership of property in Malaysia is by MM2H holders ?
