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DATUK Christina Liew has shown outstanding economic leadership in Sabah MM2H Policy.

True to her promise, she wasted no time, rolled up her sleeves and was at her desk immediately after being reappointed as Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment. Having been in the job before helps. Among the many urgent matters relevant to her ministry, she gave top priority to the formulation of the policy for Sabah MM2H, knowing that this policy can create some enormous impacts on Sabah’s economy in general and the real property and tourism industries in particular. This is good economic leadership. Datuk Christina’s consultation process in Sabah MM2H Policy. A good economic leader can produce a practical, beneficial economic policy for Sabahans because she or he has a vision, definitive direction, good knowledge of the policy subject and equally important, know where to seek consultation and advice.

The first person that Christina contacted was Tan Sri David Chu as SEAC has been looking into a Sabah MM2H policy. A series of meetings ensued during which SEAC gave her and her officials updates, suggestions and comparative schemes of W Malaysia, Sarawak and Thailand, Indonesia, The Philippines, Singapore and other countries. The working group undertook a number of comprehensive reviews and assessment of the followings:

[a] Performance of the previous Malaysia’s MM2H policy in W Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah.

[b] The revised MM2H policy by the Malaysian Government in Jan 2021.

[c] Sarawak’s introduction of the Sarawak MM2H policy, presumably, because the Malaysia’s revised MM2H policy would not meet its objectives.

[d] The promotion for 2nd home programmes by many countries has become highly competitive. The working group has looked into the latest revised 2nd home programmes in Asean countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. It also delved into offers by Australia, NZ.

[e] Previous to these, Tan Sri David has met with Federal Home Affairs Minsters. SEAC has conducted discussions with senior officials in Sabah especially in land, planning and security.

[f] Also various private sector players in Sabah, including professionals in the real estate industry, bankers, Sabah and foreign property agents specializing in the promotion of MM2H programmes.

[g] IDS has hosted a joint SEAC/IDS Round table meeting on the proposed Sabah MM2H policy.

[h] Shareda and non-Shareda members also gave some inputs.

Thanks to Christina’s economic leadership and attention to details, the State Government’s decision on the Sabah MM2H policy has been thoroughly looked into before approving it. The Sabah MM2H, as Christina has said in her press announcements, is very competitive, simple and attractive to foreigners who are looking for a 2nd home destination. The Sabah MM2H is the product of much thoughts, extensive consultations with stake holders and practitioners.

Datuk Christina’s Sabah MM2H objectives. Most important to Christina’s quick action on the Sabah MM2H policy is to generate momentum for Sabah’s budding economic recovery from the pandemic and global economic uncertainties. These new Sabah MM2H visitors will make many significant impacts to the Sabah’s economy especially in the recovery of the real property, tourism industries and their associated supply chains and economic value chains.

The Sabah MM2H is designed, among others, to benefit all property developers meaning Shareda members and non-members.

[a] The real property sector has been burdened with a substantial number of completed and partially completed of unsold units in Sabah for the last several years. These unsold units are worth billions and are very heavy financial burdens on the developers. Moreover, there are several thousands of units in the approval stage and on developers’ drawing boards.

Likewise, the tourism industrial players have been inflicted with untold financial sufferings during the MCO.

The impetus from the revival of these 2 industries will create demand for skilled [especially professionals], and unskilled jobs, numerous business/investment opportunities for Sabahans, improved demand in products, food, beverages, entertainment and transport.

[b] If all stakeholders can provide effective collaborative promotion to Christina, the Sabah MM2H policy will stimulate demand and confidence in Sabah’s economy in general and the real property and tourism in particular. [c] Once the real property has been revitalized, it will produce a wide spectrum of economic spin offs in the economy.

[d] The Sabah MM2H policy will promote long term tourists and generate a greater amount of tourism receipts for Sabah.

[e] The Sabah MM2H policy will produce an exciting set of economic multiplier effects for Sabah.

[f] It is hoped that the Sabah MM2H policy will go beyond KK to other towns and coastal areas especially where are attractive sea views. Please give fullest support & co-operations to Christina. The competition for 2nd home business is fierce in the market. Many countries are riding on their 2nd home programmes and tourism for economic recovery. Notwithstanding Sabah’s many advantages, we should not take anything for granted. True that Sabah has some advantages but these advantages need to be worked on vigorously. The Sabah MM2H policy can only be as successful as the quality of assistance and collaboration the stakeholders can give to Christina as she undertakes its implementation and promotion.

I hope all stake holders will give her their fullest support for the good of Sabah’s economy, for the good of all the stakeholders of the real property and tourism industries.

- The views expressed here are the views of the writer Datuk John Lo and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.

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