KUALA LUMPUR: More Chinese nationals are interested in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, according to the Chinese portal of the Voice of America.

Three reasons that Chinese nationals are keen to live in Malaysia are: stiff competition in China, friendliness of Malaysians, and the slow pace in Malaysian lifestyle.

Voice of America interviewed Madam Zhu from Qingdao, China, who was among the pioneer batch of Chinese nationals residing in Malaysia.

She accompanied her daughter to study in Malaysia 15 years ago and had since fallen in love with the country.

Compared to China, Zhu said Malaysia is more suitable for the younger generation due to the stiff competition in China.

“The people here are more courteous and they do not discriminate against the Chinese.

“The price of property is cheap here, and there are many Chinese people living here.

“Compared to Europe, there is no language barrier here. There are many Chinese restaurants here, too.

“A 200-square-metre house here cost only RM750,000 more than 10 years ago. It would be over a million yuan in Qingdao, but the facilities are much better here,” she said.

The pace of living in Kuala Lumpur is not as fast as in Qingdao, according to Zhu.

Zhu’s daughter has since married a Malaysian and has now settled here.

Madam Li, a Chinese national from Zibo, China, who has lived in Penang for close to 10 years, said prices of goods in Malaysia are lower compared to third-tier cities in China but the standard of service here is better.

She feels that Penangites are helpful and friendly.

“It’s like returning home each time I am back in Malaysia. I never feel this way in other places!” said Li.

Coming from a stressful country, Li said many of them love the slow pace in Malaysia.

“In China, one feels guilty not leaving home for work at 8 a.m. But here in Malaysia, one can still have a cup of coffee at 10 a.m.,” she said, adding that the condition of many Chinese nationals suffering from hypertension and diabetes has improved after they have relocated to Malaysia.

Madam Zhang, also from Zibo, said even senior citizens from China do not have language barrier living in Malaysia.

She said Malaysians are friendly and she had a personal experience of local Chinese extending a helping hand without expecting reward.

A real estate negotiator in Penang, Ms Tan, said the number of inquiries she received from Chinese nationals increased by 70 per cent after the government released the updated framework of MM2H.

“The Chinese population in Penang is high. It is one of the top choices for Chinese nationals seeking to relocate to Malaysia,” she said.