THE Chinese are the number one applicants for the Malaysia-My-Second-Home programme in the state, said Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
However, this does not mean that Sarawak is giving favoured treatment to people from China, he told the media in Kuching today.
Speaking after an official event, Karim said China citizens like to make Sarawak their second home due to similarities in culture, language, food, climate and also due to the favourable costs of living.
"We welcome all foreigners to come to make Sarawak their second home based on federal guidelines, but not for those from Israel and North Korea.
"For Sarawak, most applicants are from China, Europe, United States of America and Singapore.
"We don't practice favouritism towards China," he said.
Last year, it was announced that foreigners who are keen to make Malaysia their second home can directly call a hotline-helpdesk operated by the Federal Tourism Ministry in Putrajaya to get assistance from ministry staffs to register for the programme.
By doing so, these foreigners will be able to avoid being misled by illegal "agents".
The MM2H One Stop Centre Helpdesk is already in operation and located in the tourism ministry.
The hotline numbers are 03-88917434, 03-88917439 and 03-88917427, while the email is [email protected] – March 10, 2025
