Iskandar Malaysia - The Rise of A New Metropolis

MIEA Johor Convention 2009 shall be held in Johor Bahru with the followings:-

Theme : Iskandar Malaysia - The Rise of A New Metropolis

Date : 31^st October & 01^st November, 2009 (Saturday and Sunday)

Venue : The Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru Hotel (Permata Ballroom) Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

CPD points : 10 points applied - Board of Valuers, Appraisers & Estate Agents Malaysia

Fees : RM400 - Registered Estate Agents / Registered Valuers

RM200 - Public

*RM100 (optional) Fellowship Dinner on 31^st October, 2009 (Saturday)

Organisers : MIEA Johor Branch and Institute of Estate Agents Singapore

Main Sponsor : Johor State Government

Corporate Sponsor : Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB)

The objectives of this convention are as follows:

a) To work together with the Federal and Johor State Government in promoting Iskandar malaysia as a strong and sustainable metropolis of international standing.

b) To provide progress updates on the developments taking place in Iskandar Malaysia especially to the target groups, i.e. individuals companies and organizations related in real estate industry.

c) To provide information and platform to clear certain negative perceptions pertaining to Iskandar Malaysia.

d) To provide opportunity for key players/developers from each of the 5 zones to highlight on their current and future developments

e) To provide great business opportunities for all real estate practitioners/investors to get in touch directly with all the key players in Iskandar Malaysia

In view of the abovementioned objectives, the programmes have been arranged as such:

During the first day of Convention, speakers representing all the key players in Iskandar Malaysia according to the 5 highlighted zones from Zone A to E are invited to give talks on the progress updates, current and future plans in their respective fields.

On second day, we shall further examine some of the more important property related issues in the context of Johor. Issues to be discussed shall include investment trend and environment, property investment opportunities, Malaysia My Second Home, foreigner property ownership, Integrated Resort in Singapore, Dare To Sell and marketing Malaysia internationally.

Limited seats available, max 300 participants from both Malaysia and Singapore on a first come first serve basis. For enquiries and registration, please contact the following:

Malaysian Institute Of Estate Agents, Johor Branch

No. 8, Jalan Dedap 17,

Taman Johor Jaya,

81100 Johor Bahru,

Johor, Malaysia.

Tel: +607-3558877

Fax: +607-3550033 / 3535160

Email: limboonping@gmail.com / ann.pslek@gmail.com

Contact Person: Mr. Lim Ah Leck @ +6016-7203399

Malaysia My Second Home - MM2H

MM2H is not really an open license for everything in Malaysia, especially with Johor State pertaining to property ownership. The general MM2H rule of foreigner owning property of priced at RM150,000 doesn't apply to Johor. If i may clarify, all land matters are state matters in Malaysia. In other words, land laws are under the jurisdiction of the different state governments. Take Johor for instance, foreigner can only purchase residential properties of minimum RM250,000 and above with many other terms and conditions.

MM2H originate from a previous plan called "silver-haired programme", which to me is a great move to attractive more foreigners other than just the elderly people to reside in Malaysia. A great disappointment however, this programme prevents them from working. How can we expect those younger and affordable foreign personnels to come and reside in Malaysia for a long period of time without giving them a chance to work locally? Are we too overly protect our local job market? Just some thoughts to share.