When Singaporean investors look at Malaysia, many are turned off by the risks.
Others, like my co-founder David Kuo, see opportunity.
Having worked with David for over 13 years, I can understand why he talks about the chance to earn better returns in Malaysia despite the risk.
Instead of empty talk, David has put his money where his mouth is.
In 2019, he invested RM 300,000 of his own money into Malaysian stocks.
This is his story.
Real Scandals, Real Businesses
We have seen the stories before.
Back in 2015, there was the Malaysian 1MDB scandal that rocked the nation.
Then in 2022, there is a curious tale of missing warships worth over RM 9 billion.
Of course, these incidents do not put Malaysia in a good light.
Yet, it would be an error to paint an entire nation with the same, broad brush.
If you are able to look BEYOND the national headlines and study the individual companies, then David Kuo argues that you will see OPPORTUNITY.
Take Nestle Malaysia (KLSE: 4707).
The Swiss company is an early pioneer in Malaysia, having set roots back in 1912 selling condensed milk in Penang.
Many of Nestle’s brands are household names.
You’ll know them.
In fact, we have become so accustomed to some of its products that they can sometimes replace entire food categories.
Instead of hot cocoa, we order Milo at our local kopitiam.
Instead of instant noodles, we reach for Maggi mee.
And when we need a break, there’s Kit Kat.
With the company being around for over 100 years, selling products loved by both Singaporeans and Malaysians alike — this is, perhaps, as far away from the 1MDB scandal as it can get.
Nestle is a real business generating real money.
Familiar Faces, Familiar Dividends
Other investors may look across the causeway and be put off by their unfamiliarity with the business environment.
There’s merit to this concern.
But there’s something important investors should know, David says …
As investors, we always have a CHOICE in the companies that we pick.
Always keep this in mind.
Instead of obscure, unknown businesses — there are plenty of other companies, such as Nestle, which many Singaporeans are familiar with.
What’s more, for an unabashed income investor like David, there is another thing that may set investor hearts fluttering: DIVIDENDS.
Now, that is something Nestle Malaysia investors may be pleased with.
From 2007 to 2019, the year before the pandemic, Nestle Malaysia has more than doubled its dividend from RM 1.14 per share to RM 2.80 per share.
While the post-pandemic years saw some volatility in payouts, the company remains a consistent dividend payer.
In 2023, the dividend stood at RM 2.62 per share.
However, 2024 and 2025 saw a slight dip to RM 2.33 and RM 2.04 respectively, as the company navigated a challenging inflationary environment.
Despite this, as of March 2026, Nestle Malaysia continues to offer a steady yield, with the next interim dividend of RM 0.90 per share projected for May 2026.
Given Nestle Malaysia’s long history of sharing its spoils with investors, we may see higher dividends in the future as its business recovers.
Get Smart: Passive Income From The North
Investing in Malaysian stocks is not for everyone, of course.
Not everyone has the stomach for the risks, the volatile ringgit, or the unflattering news that dominate the headlines from time to time.
But if you have a taste for adventure, as David does, he will be sharing where he put his money to work in the coming days.
As of March 2026, David’s ‘Malaysia Money Machine’ (MMM) portfolio continues to focus on resilient, dividend-paying giants.
With the Ringgit showing signs of stability compared to the early 2020s, the appeal of these ‘Northern’ dividends is stronger than ever for those looking to diversify away from a purely Singapore-centric portfolio.
Many Singapore stocks fall behind inflation, which means your money quietly loses strength over time. Dividend stocks have a very different track record. Some continued delivering 6% to 13% every year across the toughest market conditions.
In this FREE report, discover 5 crisis-tested dividend stocks that kept rewarding investors while the market struggled. Download your dividend investing guide now.
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Disclosure: Chin Hui Leong does not own any of the shares mentioned. David Kuo owns shares of Nestle.
