KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review the strict conditions for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme that have forced many who adopted the country as their second home to leave and led to a 90 per cent drop in applications.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry said the decision to review the controversial conditions introduced in 2021 was reached following a meeting between its minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, and Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ruji Ubi.
Tiong said the application process for the programme would be made more flexible.
He said both parties agreed that Tourism Malaysia would promote the programme and provide recommendations for applications via a filtering process through an MM2H one-stop centre.
The centre will help interested individuals process their applications and collate documents for submission to the Home Ministry or Immigration Department for the issuance of the MM2H pass.
In a statement issued yesterday, Tiong said his discussion with Ruji also touched on the proposal to provide visa on arrival to visitors from China and India to promote the growth of the tourism sector.
He said the proposal would be submitted to the cabinet soon for further action.
It was reported that the MM2H programme saw a 90 per cent drop in applications due to stricter conditions.
Reports said people looking for second homes were choosing neighbouring countries instead due to strict conditions set by the previous administration in 2021.
The conditions required applicants to have permanent savings of at least RM1 million and liquid assets of at least RM1.5 million.
Previously, they only needed savings of between RM300,000 and RM500,000. They must now also show an offshore income of at least RM40,000 a month.
Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar was among those who expressed hope that the government would review the conditions for the programme.
He had raised the issue during an audience with then prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in 2021.
Sultan Ibrahim had said Johor was a key destination for foreign investors and among the main contributors to Malaysia's economic growth.