Johor Ruler urges govt to speed up review on MM2H’s new criteria

JOHOR BARU: Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar wants the government to expedite its review on the new criteria for the Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MM2H).

His Majesty raised the matter during an audience granted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob here on Saturday (Sept 25).

Sultan Ibrahim decreed that Johor is one of the main destinations for foreign investment, and that the state was also one of the main contributors to Malaysia's economic growth.

“Johor is not only a neighbour of Singapore, but the MM2H Programme is one of the contributors to the state's economic strength.

“Review the strict conditions and maintain the old conditions by making some improvements so that it can provide a positive balance, especially for economic growth,” added Sultan Ibrahim.

His Majesty said this in a statement posted on Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page here on Saturday.

The audience with His Majesty was held at Istana Pasir Pelangi here, which was also attended by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

It is Ismail Sabri’s first official visit to Johor after taking oath as the ninth Prime Minister on Aug 21.

Ismail Sabri is on a one-day working visit to the state where after meeting Sultan Ibrahim, the Bera MP will be attending two closed-door meetings with state government officials and local community leaders at a hotel here.

It was announced on Aug 11 that MM2H would be reactivated with nine new conditions after the programme was suspended in August 2020 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The revised terms and requirements of MM2H, which takes effect in October, includes an increase in the minimum monthly income (derived from offshore sources) to RM40,000, a minimum fixed deposit of RM1mil, a minimum liquidity requirement of RM1.5mil, a yearly visa fee of RM500 and a reduction of the visa duration to five years.

Sultan Ibrahim had previously questioned the Home Ministry's reluctance to review the new criteria.

The Sultan had also said that he would personally take up the matter with Ismail Sabri.