PETALING JAYA: The tourism, arts and culture ministry has denied that Sabah’s Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, which opened applications on Monday, received federal approval.
The ministry said it was not informed of nor did it give approval for the criteria set for the state’s MM2H programme.
“The conditions were set unilaterally by the state’s tourism, culture, and environment ministry without consulting the federal ministry,” it said in a statement.
State tourism, culture and environment minister Christina Liew, in unveiling the Sabah-MM2H programme last Sunday, said the scheme was approved by federal authorities.
She also said applications would take about eight to 10 weeks to be processed and approved.
The tourism, arts and culture ministry today urged the Sabah government to ensure that any decisions made on the state’s MM2H programme are in compliance with the law, including the Tourism Industry Act 1992, and its regulations.
It also said it would welcome a meeting with the state ministry to discuss any issues or questions arising from the MM2H programme.
Under the state-run programme, applicants must be at least 30 years old and from a country which has diplomatic ties with Malaysia.
They must also purchase a high-rise property worth at least RM600,000, and meet certain financial conditions: a fixed deposit of RM150,000, and an income of RM10,000 per month.
For families, a fixed deposit of RM300,000 is required as well as a monthly income of RM15,000.
Liew had said applicants may not purchase property in the affordable homes scheme, which is reserved for Sabahans and not intended for foreign investment.
“We will also ensure there is no subletting of these permits,” she said.
In June, Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor said the state would proceed with its own MM2H programme following the state Cabinet’s approval of its implementation.
He also said he would inform the federal ministry of the programme and its implementation.
