MALAYSIA has landed a cushy spot on a list of the top 10 best countries to retire in next year, beating out fellow popular Southeast Asian holiday destination Thailand, according to International Living magazine’s Annual Global Retirement Index.

Malaysia landed in the fifth position behind Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico and Ecuador.

Thailand, the only other Southeast Asian country on the list, came in at ninth spot.

The survey said that apart from English being the unofficial first language, affordable home rentals and cheap, easy and efficient public transport and healthcare costs made Malaysia a prime destination.

It also said that Malaysia was well-placed to be a base for exploring the rest of Asia, adding that Penang was the preferred state in the country.

The survey also said that, with the Malaysia My Second Home visa, foreigners were allowed to stay in the country for 10 years and that, when it expires, is automatically renewable for an additional 10 years. – January 3, 2019.