KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed marginally lower on Friday, as cautious sentiment persisted, with investors remaining on the sidelines amid ongoing conflicts in West Asia, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 2.80 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 1,695.50 from Thursday’s close of 1,698.30. The benchmark index opened 5.82 points higher at 1,704.12, and moved between 1,693.65 and 1,708.12 throughout the day. However, market breadth remained positive, with gainers outnumbering losers 634 to 415, while 521 counters were unchanged, 1,077 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover improved to 3.38 billion units worth RM2.95 billion from yesterday’s 3.20 billion units worth RM3.50 billion.
Gold Card to Replace EB-5 Visa Program
- Trump announced plans to replace the EB-5 investor visa program with a new "Gold Card" priced at US$5 million as a route to U.S. citizenship.
- The EB-5 program currently grants green cards to foreign investors who create or preserve U.S. jobs.
- The new Gold Card would offer green card privileges and a direct path to U.S. citizenship.
Trump’s Justification for the Change
- Trump called the EB-5 program "full of nonsense, make-believe, and fraud", arguing it was a cheap way to obtain U.S. residency.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the new plan would ensure only wealthy investors gain U.S. entry.
Potential Eligibility & Controversy
- When asked if Russian oligarchs could qualify, Trump responded, "Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people."
- Critics may question whether the policy favors ultra-wealthy elites over job-creating investors.
What’s Next?
- Trump said full details of the Gold Card program will be released in two weeks.
Summary:
- Trump proposes replacing the EB-5 visa with a US$5 million "Gold Card" that grants green card privileges and a path to citizenship.
- Move aims to attract ultra-wealthy investors while eliminating alleged fraud in the EB-5 program.
- Russian oligarchs and other foreign elites may be eligible, raising potential controversy.
- More details to be announced in two weeks.
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