Warm Weather, Friendly People Attracts Retirees To Malaysia: Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- Low cost of living, warm weather and friendly people have contributed to making Malaysia among the top retirement destinations in the world, Minister in the Prime Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon said. Citing the International Living’s 2012 Retirement Index, released recently, which ranked Malaysia fourth in the list of World's Best Retirement Havens, Koh said Malaysia welcomed retirees as they contributed to the country's economy. The index ranks Ecuador, Panama and Mexico as the top three retirement destinations. Koh said retirees coming to Malaysia are mostly from Europe, Japan and China, especially during winter, and their preferred destinations are Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka and Johor Baharu. He was speaking to reporters after declaring open a forum on Community Social Responsibility for Kuala Lumpur in Kepong, here. Koh said retirees also bought homes in Malaysia through the Malaysia My Second Home programme. "They are ordinary retirees, not rich people or millionaires. However, they are not allowed to buy low- and medium-cost houses," he said. -- BERNAMA