S’wak unaffected by new MM2H federal criteria: tourism minister

KUCHING – The Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme is not affected by new requirements for the federal-level MM2H programme, which will come into effect in October, said Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The state tourism, arts and culture minister said the S-MM2H programme will stick to existing criteria in use since September 1 last year as the programme had always been aimed at attracting quality visitors to enjoy the hospitality and warmth of Sarawak.

“As part of Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy, we will continue to actively diversify our tourism beyond leisure tourism by looking at the potential of S-MM2H in bringing quality visitors to Sarawak,” he told a press conference at his office in Petra Jaya here today.

According to him, applications for the S-MM2H programme are scrutinised by an independent panel chaired by his ministry and which involves the Immigration Department, the Chief Minister’s Office, state Attorney-General’s Office, federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, and several other state and federal agencies.

“The promotion of a high-yield quality tourism programme like S-MM2H by my ministry would certainly benefit the tourism sector in Sarawak. We welcome expatriates and foreigners to apply for the S-MM2H programme,” he said.

On August 11, the federal government announced the resumption of the MM2H programme starting October 1 with stricter criteria, including raising the compulsory fixed deposit in local banks to RM1 million from the previous requirement of RM150,000 (for applicants 50 years old and above) and RM300,000 (applicants below 50).

Applicants are now also required to have a minimum offshore monthly income of RM40,000 (previously RM10,000), declared liquid assets of RM1.5 million (previously RM500,000), a minimum staying period of a cumulative 90 days per year, as well as a five-year pass with a five-year renewal basis.

S-MM2H requirements include placement of fixed deposits of RM150,000 in local banks for individuals and RM300,000 for couples, and investment in properties specifically for residential purposes with a total value of at least RM600,000, required only for applicants between 40 and 50 years old.

S-MM2H applicants above 30 years old can also be considered if they accompany their children to study in Sarawak or are seeking long-term medical treatment with a minimum staying period of a cumulative 15 days per year, and a 10-year pass will be issued to successful applicants.

Detailed guidelines and application forms for the S-MM2H programme are available on the Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry website. – Bernama, August 24, 2021