Mahathir Says Foreigners Can Buy, But Not Live In Johor’s Forest City
On Tuesday, Malaysia’s long‑told‑prince‑of‑spin Dr Mahathir Mohamad dropped a bombshell at the National Art Gallery: foreigners can purchase homes in the giant 30‑year forest city, but the government won’t hand them visas to actually move in.
“Buy It, But Not Bail
“They can buy the property, but we won’t give them visas to come and live here,” Mahathir said in a short interview with reporters. The reply came after a confusing week when he claimed the China‑backed project would close its doors to international buyers. In a quick office note, he clarified that buying a house can’t automatically mean you’re a permanent resident.
Who’s Already Living in the Jungle?
Currently, about two‑thirds of the residential units in Forest City have landed in Chinese hands, a fifth belong to Malaysians, and the rest come from 22 other countries.
Johor’s Chief Minister’s Green‑Light
In contrast to Mahathir’s cautionary tone, Johor’s chief minister, Osman Sapian, announced every foreign investor is “welcome.” The state says the project: 30 years of growth, jobs, and dreams – and it’s already proving profitable.
- RM309 million (S$103 million) in taxes to the federal government
- RM630 million in dividends and land premiums to the state
- ~RM11.5 billion invested in the project – a splash of blue‑chip money
- UMongo: 150 local contractors awarded contracts worth RM1.4 billion
- 1,545 employees (1,200 locals) contributing RM51 million of income tax
Dr Mahathir’s China‑Kids Clause
Mahathir, who rode into power on a wave of anti‑China rhetoric, has slowed a few big China‑backed projects, from the East Coast Rail Line to a Sabah gas pipeline. He’s not one to let foreign money swim too freely into Malaysia’s rivers.
But whether the Forest City looms tall and leafy or a forest of controversies, one thing’s clear: the Malaysian flag remains rooted. Foreign buyers can snag a plot, but the visa gate remains locked.
