KUCHING: The Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme continues to attract international participants, with China now topping applications.
Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said applications from China have increased in the last two months.
“Currently, China is the country with the highest number of applications. Previously, most participants came from the United States, Europe and Singapore.
“Additionally, Sarawak has also seen a satisfactory increase in applications from Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Singapore,” he said at a press conference for the ‘What About Kuching (WAK)’ event at the Baitulmakmur building here Tuesday.
Abdul Karim said his ministry chairs monthly meetings regarding S-MM2H without fail to scrutinise each application in detail.
“There are some applications that we reject because we feel they might not be suitable, either due to health issues or a questionable background.
“We don’t want individuals involved in activities like money laundering, prostitution, or scams using this pathway to operate,” he explained.
He revealed that last year, 560 applications were received, showing a significant increase compared to the period between 2007 and 2019.
“This clearly reflects the confidence and interest of foreign nationals in viewing Sarawak as a preferred destination and making it their second home.
“Compared to other states in Malaysia, I can say that Sarawak is one of the states that has recorded the highest surge in the number of applications and the interest of foreign nationals to settle here,” he added.
Karim explained that starting this year, Sarawak now fully manages the permits and licences for agents acting as entry managers for participants in the S-MM2H programme.
“Previously, all applications had to go through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), but MOTAC has handed over the authority to the Sarawak government.
“This is part of the powers devolved to Sabah and Sarawak following requests from these states,” he said.
He explained that the S-MM2H programme is now fully managed by Sarawak, in collaboration with other agencies such as the Immigration Department, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Sarawak Premier’s Office, and the State Health Department.
He said that, in terms of procedure, the process is easier to manage, and the eligibility requirements are more flexible compared to those in Peninsular Malaysia.
Regarding the fees, he clarified that starting from January 1, 2025, all S-MM2H applicants will be required to deposit a fixed amount of RM500,000.
“Previously, the deposit requirement was RM150,000 per person, but it has now been increased to RM500,000 for one family,” he explained.
