Malaysia Positions Forest City as Family Office Alternative to Singapore

Malaysia family office ambitions are gaining traction as authorities position Forest City Special Financial Zone as a lower-cost complement to Singapore.

Launched in September 2024 within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the initiative offers tax incentives including 0% on qualifying investment income for 10 years, extendable to 20 years.

Malaysian authorities said six single-family offices managing RM400m (USD85m) had been approved by early 2026, with a target of RM2bn by end-2026.

The Malaysia family office strategy aims to attract globally mobile capital, though limited uptake so far highlights the need for stronger execution, regulatory clarity and ecosystem development.