KUCHING: The federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) should consult with Sabah and Sarawak before suspending the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Minister expressed his disappointment over MoTAC’s directive on May 27 to suspend the operations of all licensed agencies processing new MM2H applications, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, with immediate effect.
“We have our own immigration autonomy. This policy has crippled the Sarawak and Sabah MM2H programme.
“If they (MoTAC) want to establish a new policy, it should apply to Peninsular Malaysia only. Do not interfere with Sabah and Sarawak.”
Abdul Karim made these remarks after inspecting the venue for the upcoming Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) at Sarawak Cultural Village here today (June 7).
Furthermore, he asserted that MoTAC should not have imposed this policy on Sarawak and Sabah, as these two states have different conditions from those in Peninsular Malaysia.
“In Sarawak, applicants only need to place RM150,000 as a fixed deposit in their bank, while in Peninsular Malaysia, it is RM1mil.
“This is why the demand and interest in the Sarawak-MM2H (S-MM2H) programme have surged by more than 90 per cent. In Peninsular Malaysia, it has dropped by more than 90 per cent. That’s their mistake; our requirements are different.”
Abdul Karim also expressed disappointment with MoTAC Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for not discussing the matter with Sabah and Sarawak.
“S-MM2H is an issue that should be discussed together. Not just MoTAC dictating terms and Sarawak just merely following along. It should not be handled in that manner,” he said.
He added that he will continue to discuss this issue with the federal government.
“In a federal system, issues like this where there is a clash should be discussed nicely, not with one party bulldozing their rights.
“We will not rock the boat, but we expect the federal government, through MoTAC, to be considerate of the policies that Sarawak has been implementing,” he said.
