KUCHING: The Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is very important as it not only affects housing but also education and investment, said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (pic).
“We welcome everyone to discuss this programme where we can see what is happening to our housing development in the state,” he said during a press conference after officiating at the opening ceremony of LAB for MM2H.
Sim added that at present, the top countries participating in the Sheda-MM2H are Britain, China and Taiwan.
“Unfortunately, the number of participating countries is decreasing,” he said.
He also said that there were more than 18 agencies that are working to strengthen and encourage more participation in the programme.
According to Sim, the number of residential ownerships this year has dropped with five percent of the properties built yet to be sold due largely to the economy.
The MM2H programme is an initiative by the government to allow foreigners who fulfil certain criteria to stay in Malaysia for as long as possible on multiple-entry via Social Visit Pass and it is initially for a period of ten years and is renewable.
Among the criteria are foreigners from countries that have diplomatic relations with Malaysia, except Israel, Montenegro and Yugoslavia regardless of race, religion, gender and age. Besides that applicants can bring their spouses and unmarried children below the age of 21 as dependents.
