However, ever since it launched its 'Truly Asia' campaign in 1999, Malaysia has successfully traded on having a little of everything – from cuisine to culture. The diversity in Malaysia is also true of its geography and, with it, the range of options open for those looking to make an investment in property is exceptional.

For city slickers, the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, offers high-yield, high-rise living close to all of the facilities one would expect from an international-standard city. Here, one can make an investment in one-bedroom apartments from approximately £85,000, with three-bedroom properties on sale for around the £200,000 mark. Although it's KL, as the locals call it, with its sleek, shiny Petronas Towers that first put Malaysia on the map, the country has plenty more to help keep it on the overseas property treasure map. Take, for example, the Sepang Golden Coast, where the Golden Palm Tree development stretches into the sea in the shape of a palm. Here, prices are priced to attract property investment and villas start from £73,500.

However, besides urban and coastal environments, Malaysia is also blessed with vast tracts of rainforest, such as Taman Negara on the mainland, and Sabah on Malaysian Borneo. Here, interested parties can buy a two-bedroom villa at Nexus Residence from £115,000, with a rental guarantee in place for those prepared to rent their property back to Nexus.

Those, instead, looking to spend more than one month at a time enjoying their property in Malaysia can do so by taking advantage of the 'My Second Home' programme, which entitles foreigners to a ten-year social visit pass. This programme is just one example of how pro-active the Malaysian government has been when it comes to attracting overseas property investment, a fact demonstrated once again by the abolition of capital gains tax in April 2007. This move, says international property specialist Amberlamb, is "expected to push up international demand for property in Malaysia, and result in a firming up and increase of real estate prices."

With its economy already growing by 6 per cent per annum and showing no real signs of cooling off, Malaysia could become a second home property destination for many more Brits than is currently the case.

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Article published July 2007