SARAWAK has approved 450 applicants for the Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) Programme with Fixed Deposits (FD) placement of RM90 million in Sarawak local banks as of October this year.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that since his ministry took over the S-MM2H programme from Sarawak Immigration Department in 2020, a one-stop panel has been set up to approve and expedite all S-MM2H applications.
“From 2007 to 2019, there was only a total of 1,240 participants approved whereas from 2020 to October 2024 under the ministry’s panel committee, there was a substantial total of 1526 participants,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech today (Nov 19).
Abdul Karim further said from 2007, the top applicants for the S-MM2H programme were from China with 408 applicants, United Kingdom (355), Taiwan (265), Hong Kong (260) and the United States of America (216).
The Ministry of Arts and Culture (MoTAC) via Commissioner of Tourism has delegated authority under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 [Act 482] and its subsidiary laws to the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak according to subsection 4(2) of Act 482 effective Nov 1, 2024 which applies to S-MM2H program in Sarawak through the letter of commission dated Oct 30, 2024, he added.
“This represents a significant achievement for my ministry in further expanding the function of the current S-MM2H One Stop Centre to not only processing applications but also licensing of S-MM2H agents,” he said.
He also said that his ministry had carried out a lab with S-MM2H panel committee members, which consisted of representatives from MOTAC Sarawak, Immigration Department of Malaysia, Sarawak; State Attorney- General’s Chambers; Sarawak State Health Department; Sarawak Immigration and Labour Management Unit; Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit; and Royal Malaysian Police to finalise the latest requirements for S-MM2H programme application and guidelines to the licensing application for S- MM2H agents.
“A roundtable discussion was also held with all the S- MM2H agents on Sept 5 at The Waterfront Hotel, and subsequently, it was approved by the Cabinet on Oct 24,” he said.
He added the S-MM2H programme has been improved and adapted from MoTAC’s new MM2H requirements.
Abdul Karin urged those interested to refer to the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts’ website at mtcp.sarawak.gov.my for the new requirements for S-MM2H applications and licensing of S-MM2H agents.
“This enhancement will take effect from Jan 1, 2025,” he said.
