Thousands of mainland Chinese are choosing Malaysia’s laid-back vibes over their stressful lives back home. 

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

For March, hosts Lim Ai Leen and Tan Tam Mei kick off with ST's Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh, and special guest Dr Ong Kian Ming, both based in Kuala Lumpur.

It’s easy to settle down in multicultural Malaysia, as thousands of mainland Chinese on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa scheme have discovered. Affordable property, international schools, local food and a relaxed lifestyle are all draws, but are there drawbacks? As it is, signage in the Chinese language has already sparked off a war of words between politicians.

Speaking of politics, the recent Democratic Action Party (DAP) election saw the Lim family influence diminished. Former deputy minister and party insider Dr Ong gives us the lowdown on what happened on March 16, and his predictions for the DAP’s future. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:21 MM2H: Why is it so popular with mainland Chinese?

06:43 Cultural shift, retail landscape change from influx of Chinese

11:19 How Chinese brands are adapting to local market

14:57 Furore over Chinese signage

19:43 DAP election: How the party’s evolved in Malaysian politics

26:56 Will DAP turn into MCA 2.0

30:49 Mood at party polls

38:02 Lim Guan Eng's future role and influence

42:38 News nugget: What’s your desert island Malaysian snack?

Read more:

MM2H scheme - https://str.sg/bsDx 

Malaysia’s DAP election - https://str.sg/Kiqx

Heated exchange Malaysia’s MCA and DAP - https://str.sg/FS6T 

Dr Ong Kian Ming’s Are We OK? podcast - https://str.sg/63jG

Read Lim Ai Leen’s articles: https://str.sg/MKsE 

Read Tan Tam Mei’s articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ 

Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Hosts: Lim Ai Leen (limal@sph.com.sg) & Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg)  

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg 

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