Hamzah: We seek high quality MM2H participants

KUALA LUMPUR: Criteria revision for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme was done to attract high quality participants who are genuine and can contribute positively to economic growth, says Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

The Home Minister said there had been improvements to the current procedures for new participants of the MM2H programme, including stricter measures for security purposes.

However, he stressed that for previous participants, it would be decided based on a case-to-case basis due to the security aspect.

“Some of them are disguising as MM2H participants, but they are actually using it (Malaysia) as a transit only, and carry out unwanted activities.

“That is why focus is given to security aspects for the MM2H programme. In order to spur economic activities, let us attract those that are of high quality,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) during Minister’s Question Time.

The revised terms and requirements of MM2H introduced by the Federal Government effective October include an increase in the minimum monthly income (derived from offshore sources) to RM40,000; minimum fixed deposit of RM1mil; minimum liquidity requirement of RM1.5mil; yearly visa fee of RM500; and reduction of the visa duration to five years.

Asked whether the government had any intention to allow the MM2H programme to be handled by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Hamzah said the matter was decided during the Pakatan Harapan government, and not under the current administration.

According to Hamzah, there were more than 34,000 active principals under the MM2H programme.

“From the total, 27,894 are in the MM2H programme, while there are 6,423 initial Silver-Haired Programme participants,” he said.

The Silver-Haired Programme was introduced in 1987 for those who were at least 55 years old, and was originally offered only to nationals of Japan and Western Europe with periods of stay ranging from five to 10 years.

Earlier, to the original question, Hamzah explained that the reason behind the different policies for the MM2H and immigration between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak was due to the special provisions outlined under Sections 64 and 65 of the Immigration Act 1959/63, pertaining to the managing of immigration affairs and the entry of foreigners, among others, into the states.

“However, I will sit down together with the Sabah and Sarawak state governments to standardise the programme across the country to ensure there will be no issues raised on two sets of rules between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.

Meanwhile, at a separate press conference in the Parliament building, Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) said the issue of security should not be used to broadly review the MM2H programme.

“Police should know by now who’s threatening security... You can’t apply it as a broad principle, most of them are tourists,” she said, adding that in her Segambut constituency, many expatriates had lived for years in Desa Park City, Mont Kiara and Hartamas.

“When you suddenly want to do a review, you frighten people. These people will relocate and it will affect rental properties which are owned by Malaysians, as well as business such as food and beverage outlets and international schools,” said Yeoh.

She said major changes in policies by the government should be discussed with the relevant MPs.