Following criticism of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme by stakeholders, the federal government has decided to review its requirements and conditions.
They hope to make it more flexible for potential applicants of the programme.
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) issued a statement to this effect.
The statement added that the decision to review the condition was following a meeting with the Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and the Home Ministry secretary-general.
Tourism Malaysia will act as a one-stop centre to promote and make recommendations for applicants.
Earlier, the MM2H issue was also raised by Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy Yb Yeoh Soon Hin who called on the federal government to review the conditions.
“As one of the top tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, Penang is known for its vibrant multicultural scene, savory street food and strategic geographical location, which have become the captivations for many expatriates.
“The expatriates play a vital role in bringing a multiplier effect for the economic development of Penang and Malaysia as a whole.
“Thus, it is beneficial for the country if conditions for new applicants of MM2H are fair, reasonable, and effective to encourage potential residents or investors from abroad to stay with us,” said Yeoh.
It was reported that according to the MM2H Consultant Association, stricter conditions have caused a 90% drop in the number of MM2H applicants after the conditions were introduced back in 2021, and these unnecessary barriers have hindered attracting long-term foreign residents ever since.