My comments on recent directives on Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) which were very disappointing

Recently our media friends had seek my comments on the decision by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) on the suspension of operations for Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) agents in Sabah and Sarawak without prior discussions. Obviously we are "very disappointed" by such moves, particularly when the minister in charge of MoTAC, YB Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is a fellow Sarawakian.

I have also mentioned to our media friends that MoTAC should have discussed the matter with the relevant ministries from Sabah and Sarawak instead of pushing it through, given the differing MM2H conditions between the states in West and East Malaysia.

On May 27, MoTAC had issued a directive to suspend the operations of all licensed agents handling MM2H applications, including those in Sabah and Sarawak.

This has crippled the MM2H programme in Sabah and Sarawak where the applications for the programme had received overwhelming response from those overseas. Due to the directives, Sabah had said it might consider going ahead with its own MM2H programme.

This issue was recently brought up by Sabah's Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew on June 6 after the directives from MoTAC had derailed the state's plans to roll out its MM2H programme. She had also mentioned that her ministry would appoint and authorise state representatives to process applications for the Sabah-MM2H programme instead.

For the record, both Sabah and Sarawak had different conditions for the MM2H programme than those in Peninsular Malaysia, as both states had immigration autonomy. Applicants in Sarawak are only required to place a fixed deposit of RM150,000 compared to RM1 million requirement set in the peninsula. That is why applications for the Sarawak-MM2H programme have increased by 90% while in the peninsula, it has declined by 90%.

If MoTAC’s directive was to make way for a new policy, it should only apply in Peninsular Malaysia and not in Sabah and Sarawak. Any changes affecting Sabah and Sarawak should be discussed with us first, rather than for MoTAC making decisions on its own and expecting both states to follow. 

Sarawak government would pursue this matter with the Federal Government. We will not rock the boat...but we expect the federal government, through MoTAC, to be considerate of our MM2H policies, which have been endorsed by Sarawak Cabinet.