FOREIGNERS between the ages of 40 and 50 are now eligible to apply for Sarawak’s Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme, said Abdul Karim Hamzah.

About half a dozen conditions in the programme have been adjusted, as the state seeks to strengthen and safeguard Sarawak’s interest and public security, said the tourism, arts and culture minister.

Karim said foreigner investments in real properties, specifically in home purchase, in the new age category must be at least RM600,000. 

Prior to this, the minimum amount was RM350,000 in the Kuching division and RM300,000 for other parts of the state. 

The minimum amount for house purchase in other parts of the state is now set at RM500,000.

The age limit, meanwhile, was capped at 50 and above. 

One new condition imposed is the increase in the amount for fixed deposit – which acts as a security, personal bond – from RM100,000 to RM150,000 for individuals and from RM150,000 to RM300,000 for couples. 

Karim said the fixed deposit could be used to pay for their deportation cost in case of any breach or non-compliance to the Immigration Ordinance or Regulations or when unexpected incidents happen to S-MM2H participants.

He earlier said Sarawak would also adopt the federal government’s policy that all new applications now require a letter of good conduct from relevant government authorities in the applicants’ home countries and if they were found to have been involved in criminal offences, their S-MM2H passes could be revoked.

Another condition all pass holders have to meet is the need to stay a minimum of 15 days per year in Sarawak to qualify them for a renewal of the S-MM2H pass after five years. 

Karim said the enhancements to the state’s MM2H programme is in anticipation of more foreigners making Sarawak their second home. 

“The number of applicants are also expected to increase dramatically based on the historical trend of S-MM2H statistics.” 

He said last year, 226 applications were approved compared to only 103 in 2018 – a 119% spike in the number of successful applications.

Karim said Sarawak is expecting 1,000 new participants, generating an estimated revenue of RM8.34 million and an investment of RM31 million by 2030. 

Sarawak, he said, would continue to open up the S-MM2H programme to foreigners who are interested, despite Putrajaya’s decision to temporarily suspend its programme until year-end. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic globally, coupled with the enforcement of movement restrictions and border control has caused a sharp decline in travel and leisure, severely impacting the tourism sector. 

“As part of the response to the post Covid-19 recovery, Sarawak needs to continue to actively diversify its tourism beyond leisure, by looking at the programme’s potential in recent years in bringing quality visitors to the state,” he added. – September 4, 2020.