Local would prefer to buy a property & pay the instalment rather than paying RM1k or more for rental. Unless the person has a monthly housing allowance & don't intend to reside for long period.

Which brought us back to the fact that only expats could & willing to pay a high price for rental.

Uncle rented out his bunglo at Kulim Golf Club for RM5.7k per month to a German. Which translate to about a 8.5% return annually.