SABAH has now announced that it intends to go ahead with its own version of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme despite federal authorities having suspended the licenses of processing agents nationwide.
This comes after Sarawak earlier today made the same announcement, saying they will go ahead with their own Sarawak-MM2H programme after accusing the federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) of imposing its will on the state.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the Sabah-MM2H program would still proceed even if Motac refuses the state's appeal to reconsider the nationwide suspension.
“Under the Sabah-MM2H, applicants only need to meet all the requirements set under the programme.
"It is Putrajaya’s requirement that licensed agents do this. Now Putrajaya has canceled all the licenses.
"Then what do you want me to do? I want to proceed. Since we don’t pay agents, we are not involved with any agencies.
“We will appoint qualified representatives to process the applications. The appointments will come from my ministry,” she told reporters in Kota Kinabalu today.
Like Sarawak, Sabah’s plan to launch its own MM2H programme was disrupted after Motac suspended the licenses of processing agents nationwide on May 27.
Liew noted in a statement yesterday that her ministry had requested MOTAC to review its decision, but the ministry replied that the suspension would continue until further notice.
Liew said her decision does not supersede federal authority on the matter, adding that the state has already engaged with all the related agencies, including Immigration and police, before arriving at the decision.
While MOTAC holds the licensing authority for all tourism-related operations, Sabah has already approved most of the requirements set under its own MM2H programme, she said.
Liew said the decision to proceed with the program regardless of the Motac directive had been referred to MOTAC, the relevant authorities, and the chief minister.
“My programme is being delayed unnecessarily. We have interested clients from countries around Southeast Asia. They will bring applicants to Sabah. Sabah is ready. All we have to do is assist them.
“Hopefully, we get approval from Motac, and if they don’t, we will still proceed with it,” she said.
Earlier, Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said the state has autonomy over immigration, and tourism has already been taken off the federal list and placed on the concurrent list now.
The federal list comprises matters that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government, while the state list encompasses matters that are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the individual state governments. The concurrent list comprises matters that are within the jurisdiction of both the federal and state governments.
Karim said moreover, Sarawak’s S-MM2H policies differ vastly from the federal MM2H. One example he gave was the mandatory fixed deposit applicants have to pay.
The fixed deposit for S-MM2H is RM150,000 while the federal MM2H calls for RM1 million.
He said applicants are finding S-MM2H more attractive than MM2H.
“It’s so attractive that applications to make Sarawak their second home have jumped by 90%. It’s just the opposite for the MM2H. They’re down by 90%,” he claimed - The Vibes, June 7, 2024
