THE country is expecting more foreign nationals to join the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme as the government is looking into relaxing several requirements, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said this is in line with the 2024 Budget that was announced last year where the government wanted to make the programme more attractive and competitive.
As of Jan 31 this year, Tiong said there were 56,066 active MM2H pass holders, including principals (27,759) and dependants (28,307).
China remains at the top with a total of 24,765 MM2H pass holders, followed by South Korea (4,940), Japan (4,733), Bangladesh (3,604), United Kingdom (2,234), Taiwan (1,611), United States (1,340), Singapore (1,282), India (1,223) and Australia (1,069).
“The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, together with the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department, are in the midst of refining and detailing each proposal to improve the requirements of the programme and increase the number of participants.
“This is by taking into account the input and feedback from stakeholders as well as activists,” he said, adding that the move would increase more tourist arrivals and foreign investors in Malaysia.
“Among the conditions examined are age eligibility, financial ability, minimum residency period, MM2H pass period, and ease of property ownership for participants,” he said in a parliamentary written reply.
Tiong was responding to Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi), who asked for the latest figures on MM2H holders as well as the government’s plans to improve the programme.
“After it is finalised at the ministry level, the new conditions will be brought to the Cabinet for approval before being implemented,” said Tiong.
“To ensure national security is maintained, foreigners who are interested in applying for the MM2H programme are required to submit a Certificate of Good Conduct for themselves and their dependants.
“The certificates are issued and verified by the authorities of the country of origin or country of residence,” Tiong added.
