KUCHING: The federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) is scheduled to meet with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg soon to discuss issues related to the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this at a press conference after representing Abang Johari to officiate the opening of the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2024 at Hikmah Exchange Centre today (June 26).
He acknowledged that there has been a little bit of hiccups lately but assured that the issue would be resolved soon.
“I can tell you that MoTAC will meet with the Premier in a week’s time and the matter will be deliberated then.
“The MM2H conditions, especially for Sarawak and Sabah, differ from the one in the Peninsular. Sarawak has a different policy, even concerning the deposit amount required from applicants.
“However, the licence to handle this MM2H is issued by MoTAC. If they understand the conditions thoroughly, they will see that Sarawak and Sabah are indeed different.
“But lately, the long arms seem to want to dictate again and this is where Sarawak and Sabah said no,” he said.
Abdul Karim said he was informed that MoTAC would devolve authority (turun kuasa) for the MM2H programme.
“What is this ‘turun kuasa’? Does it mean Sarawak and Sabah are given the right to issue the licences to the agencies to handle the MM2H.
“Does it also include the issuance of licence or is it still retained by MoTAC? If you want to ‘turun kuasa’, then do it properly,” he said.
