More to join MM2H with proposed relaxed rules, says Tiong

KUALA LUMPUR: More foreign nationals are expected to join the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme as the government is looking into relaxing some requirements, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pic).

The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said this is in line with last year’s Budget 2024 announcement where Putrajaya said it wanted to make the programme more attractive and competitive.

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As of Jan 31 this year, Tiong said there are 56,066 active MM2H pass holders comprising principals (27,759) and dependents (28,307).

China remains at the top of the list with a total of 24,765 holders, followed by South Korea (4,940), Japan (4,733), Bangladesh (3,604), the United Kingdom (2,234), Taiwan (1,611), the United States (1,340), Singapore (1,282), India (1,223) and Australia (1,069).

“(The Tourism Ministry), together with the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department, are in the midst of refining and detailing each proposal to improve the requirements of the programme taking into account input and feedback from stakeholders and industry players, so that the number of participants can be increased, encouraging the arrival of tourists and foreign investors to Malaysia.

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“Among the conditions examined are age eligibility, financial ability, minimum residency period, MM2H pass period and ease of residential property ownership,” he said in a parliamentary written reply on Tuesday (March 12).

Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) had asked for the latest MM2H figures as well as the government’s plans to improve the programme.

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“After it is finalised at the ministry level, the new conditions will be brought to the Cabinet for approval before being implemented.

“To maintain national security, applicants are required to submit a Certificate of Good Conduct for themselves and their dependents issued and verified by the authorities in their country of origin or current country of residence,” Tiong added.