Listed Property Trusts in Malaysia

Malaysia was the first Asian country to develop listed property trusts as an effective indirect real estate investment vehicle in 1989. This article presents an overview of the development of the listed property trust sector in Malaysia, with performance analysis over 1991–2000. Local structural and regulatory factors are identified that have contributed to the slow development and poor performance of property trusts in Malaysia. Strategies are articulated that would contribute to the ongoing development of the property trust sector as an effective indirect real estate investment vehicle in Malaysia, as well as in other Asian countries, such as Japan, Singapore and Korea.