KUCHING: The Malaysia My Second Home in Sarawak (S-MM2H) programme will not be affected by revised requirements announced by the federal government recently.
Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the S-MM2H programme aims to continue welcoming participants to enjoy the hospitality and warmth of Sarawak.
He said when the federal government decided to suspend the programme in June last year to review and re-evaluate its requirements, Sarawak didn't follow suit to put on hold the programme.
"In fact, we revised the requirements for S-MM2H in September last year. We have our own independent panel to deliberate and decide on the applications," he said during a press conference here today.
He said the panel is chaired by the Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and Sarawak Immigration Department, Chief Minister's Department, Sarawak State Attorney General's Office, Sarawak Health Department, police as well as the federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and other agencies.
Currently, among S-MM2H criteria are placement of fixed deposits in local banks from RM150,000 for individuals to RM300,000 for couples. The requirement to invest in real properties specifically for residential purposes with a total amount of at least RM600,000 applies only to applicants who are between 40 and 50 years old.
Applicants who are above 30-years of age could also be considered if they are accompanying their children to study in Sarawak or seeking long term medical treatment.
Meanwhile, a minimum stay period of 15 days cumulative per year is required and a 10 years pass will be issued to successful applicants.
Karim said the state has received a total 1,306 participants in the S-MM2H programme in the past 14 years.
"As part of the state's post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS), we will continue to actively diversify our tourism beyond leisure tourism by looking at the potentials of S-MM2H in bringing quality visitors to Sarawak."
"The promotion of high yield quality tourism programmes like S-MM2H would certainly benefit the tourism sector in Sarawak."
Recently, the federal government announced that the MM2H Programme will resume online in October 2021 with stricter criteria such as an increase of compulsory fixed deposits in local banks from RM150,000 (age over 50) - RM300,000 (age less than 50) to RM1 million, offshore monthly income increases to RM40,000 from RM10,000.
Meanwhile, the declaration of RM1.5 million instead of the previous RM500,000 liquid assets, a minimum stay period of 90 days cumulative per year as well as five years pass plus five years on renewal basis.