MM2H an excellent government initiative

I REFER to the letter “Evaluation of programmes vital” (The Star, April 4) on the need for proper evaluation of government programmes to determine their benefits to the country relevant to the cost. The writer specifically referred to the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, the delays in approving applications and whether it is worthwhile to keep it going. I have been closely involved with the MM2H programme, which I think has been repeatedly undervalued and misunderstood, since 2005 so I would like to share my views about it. I consider it an excellent government initiative which can bring very real benefits to the country. Unfortunately, it is having the opposite effect currently.

In terms of the benefits to Malaysia, there are several. Most applicants are not coming here to work or take jobs from Malaysians but for extended stays or to retire. They have to have a minimum monthly offshore income of over RM10,000 to relocate here, and much of that money will be spent in Malaysia. Many buy a house which, in most cases, must cost over RM1mil because they are foreigners. The majority also buy a car.