From Perseverance to Purpose
WHEN Azreen Octavious took over a dormant company connected to the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) space back in 2019, there was no grand plan, no vision statement, and certainly no forecast sitting on his desk.
“There wasn’t some big dream, as it was just a structure that already existed, and I didn’t want to see something connected to my family name being used halfway. So, I picked it up and started building it properly,” he told the Sarawak Tribune.
That simple act of responsibility eventually grew into Arun Ami (S-MM2H) Sdn Bhd, a fully Sarawakian-owned and operated company now licensed under the Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme.
Even its name carries a story – one that reflects the values Azreen strives to uphold in both life and business.
“Arun Ami means ‘our home’ in Biatah, a dialect spoken by the Bidayuh community. It’s not just a name – it’s a message.
“We’re helping people make Sarawak their home, and we do it with clarity, compliance, and respect for how Sarawak manages the process,” he explained.
In an industry where the term “second home” is often seen through commercial lenses, Arun Ami stands apart by reminding clients that a home is not built through transaction, but through belonging.
Some May Call It Luck
Azreen recalled a conversation that left a lasting impression – and not for the right reasons.
“You know what grinds my gears? When people think I had it easy. That I just ‘inherited’ a company because my father once worked in Immigration,” he said.
When he reached out to someone for help with admin and bookkeeping – seeking guidance as he prepared for stricter S-MM2H licensing – he was told that people thought he was “lucky” to have found the business because of his father’s past position.
“That judgment, while I was asking for help, stuck in my head for days,” he admitted.
Azreen’s father retired from the Immigration Department in 2010 – nearly a decade before any of this began.
In late 2019, a West Malaysian agency approached his father with a partnership proposal, offering to use his name on a Sarawak company in exchange for a small director’s fee.
But when the arrangement began to feel ethically unclear, his father sought Azreen’s advice.
“We were struggling, but integrity mattered more,” he said.
By late 2021, Azreen decided to take over the company properly.
The West Malaysian partners exited, and he restructured the ownership to 60 per cent under his name and 40 per cent under his father’s.
The company, which already had RM50,000 paid-up capital, was renamed Arun Ami (MM2H) Sdn Bhd.
“Our model was clean – no proxies, no shortcuts. Every transaction was accountable, and every process followed the legal route,” he said.
By 2023, the small Sarawak-based agency had become one of the top-producing S-MM2H agencies in the state.
And on 1 January this year, when the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) took full control of the programme’s leadership and licensing, Arun Ami once again realigned, rebranding as Arun Ami (S-MM2H) Sdn Bhd.
“The new licensing standards are high – RM100,000 paid-up capital, RM100,000 bank guarantee, TTMC certification, and approved premises – but that’s how it should be. It keeps the industry clean and credible,” he said.
The road to compliance, however, was far from easy.
“Some call it luck. I call it years of paperwork, grit, and sleepless nights,” he said.
From Salesperson to Consultant
Before stepping into the S-MM2H industry, Azreen was selling air and water purifiers for a home wellness company – going door to door.
“It may sound worlds apart from immigration consultancy, but to me, it’s all about people. I dealt mostly with older folks, families, and retirees – the same group I now serve under S-MM2H.
“That job taught me how to earn trust, and that never changes,” he said.
When Azreen first took over, the company was unlicensed and unstructured.
What followed was a long, quiet process of learning, compliance, and sheer perseverance.
“I started from zero – no staff, no system, no template to copy. I rented a small office, handled every file myself, and learned every single process, from MTCP submissions to Immigration endorsements,” he said.
Those were what he calls the “survival years”, when he continued selling home products and even drove Grab to keep the company alive.
“It was tough. Some months, paying rent and staff came first while I left myself last. But it built discipline – and I’m proud that we didn’t grow fast; we grew correctly,” he said.
Sarawak’s Distinct Advantage
Unlike the federal MM2H programme, Sarawak runs its own version – administered under MTCP and enforced by the Department of Immigration Malaysia Sarawak.
“Sarawak controls its own entry and residence, and that independence gives stability. The rules are clear, and you know what to expect,” he said.
Azreen views the updated standards not as a barrier, but as a filter for professionalism.
“They’re not meant to make things difficult; they’re meant to ensure operators are serious and credible,” he said.
On his hopes for the programme’s future, Azreen pointed out that consistency and clarity are crucial.
“No sudden changes, no surprises. If we keep it stable, Sarawak will continue to attract genuine long-term residents who want to live here correctly and contribute in their own way,” he said.
Why People Choose Sarawak
To Azreen, Sarawak’s charm lies in its groundedness.
“People come for affordability, but they stay for authenticity. Sarawak doesn’t pretend to be something else – it’s calm, affordable, and genuinely welcoming.
“You don’t have to perform or live up to an image; you can just live,” he said.
Azreen noted that S-MM2H participants are often semi-retirees, digital nomads, or families seeking a slower pace of life without losing comfort.
“Some arrive just tired of the pressure back home, looking for balance – and they find it here,” he said.
A Quiet Contributor to the Economy
The S-MM2H programme rarely makes headlines, but its impact is quietly visible across Sarawak’s communities.
Each participant also places RM500,000 in a Sarawak bank as a fixed deposit – a form of stability and contribution to the local economy.
“Participants aren’t just tourists. They live here long-term – renting homes, using local services, eating at kopitiams. It circulates money within the community – from electricians and plumbers to cafés and clinics.
“It’s quiet but steady growth – sustainable, people-based, and rooted in everyday life rather than speculation,” he said.
Beyond Paperwork
At Arun Ami, work goes beyond documentation.
The team assists clients with opening bank accounts, arranging medical check-ups, and clarifying visa misconceptions.
“For me, it’s about doing things correctly, even when no one’s watching. Profit keeps you alive, but credibility keeps you in business,” he said.
Behind every application lies a story – like one couple who came to Sarawak as a stopover and never left.
“Another client told me he stopped checking flight prices home. That one line says everything – when people stop thinking about leaving, it means they’ve found peace,” he said.
As Azreen and his team prepare to move into a new office aligned with MTCP standards, he reflects on the journey with quiet pride.
“It’s not about moving up. It’s about moving forward – with lessons learned and foundations intact,” he added.
