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More Malaysians to become ultra-rich
Knight Frank, a leading independent global property consultancy, has forecast that Malaysia’s ultra-wealthy population will increase by 33% in the next decade.
The ultra wealthy include ultra high-net-worth individuals with US$30 million (RM98.6 million) or more in assets, excluding their main residence, as well as centra-millionaires and billionaires.
Knight Frank Managing Director for Malaysia Sarkunan Subramaniam said nine new individuals joined the rank of Ultra High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWI) in Malaysia last year, bringing the total to 557, while the higher wealth bracket increased by three to hit 206.
Speaking to reporters at the launch of the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2014 here, he said these new ultra wealthy individuals in Malaysia came from sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing, services and information and telecommunications technology.
The report says although globally about 15% of high net worth individuals plan to change residence, Kuala Lumpur remains home to 53% of Malaysia’s ultra high net worth individuals, and the situation is forecast to remain approximately the same in 2023.
Meanwhile, Goh Cheng Ean, United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd Executive Director and Country Head of High Networth Banking, said the Malaysian ultra wealthy were more sophisticated and invested with a long-term view.
“In the past, investments were made within the region of their comfort zone, but now they have more confidence and exposure to invest in developed markets.
“With continued signs of economic recovery in the US and Eurozone, we foresee increasing fund flow from emerging markets into developed markets,” she said.
On the Prime International Residential Index (PIRI), Kuala Lumpur has climbed two positions from last year and is ranked 26th globally, while prices were up 5.5% last year compared to only 1% growth in 2012, according to the report.
Goh said properties in Malaysia remained attractive for local and foreign investors who believed in the country’s long-term economic potential.
The appreciation in real estate prices in key economic centres like Kuala Lumpur and Iskandar Johor was driven by the the implementation of the government’s Economic Transformation Programme, the rise of the middle class and rapid urbanisation, she said.
Property valuations in Malaysia, however, were still lower than in other economic centres like Hong Kong and Singapore, she added.
Elsewhere in Asia, Jakarta heads the PIRI, with growth of 38% last year, with Bali at number three with a 22% gain.
Indonesia’s key markets continued to outperform the rest, the report says.
