CONSULTANTS for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme are increasingly worried as the the scheme that was suspended in March shows no sign of resuming anytime soon.

They told The Malaysian Insight they were struggling to survive on zero business. Some have had to close down.

Iconic Living Group managing director Michael Cheam said he was fortunate in that he had managed to secure a loan just before the freeze. The loan is repayable in instalments over five years.

Cheam said he was using the money to pay his operating expenses and salaries. 

“For now I have not laid off any of my 14 employees. I have been using the company’s reserves to continue operations,” he said.

“We still need employees to process visa renewals for our customers. So far, we have managed to get by with pay cuts and working hours adjustments.

“The programme freeze is an added burden during the Covid-19 season. Every day, employees are sitting at home and worrying if they will lose their jobs.”

He was unsure how long the money would last. He said he would be forced to let go of some workers if the MM2H programme remained frozen.

“We have told them that in the event they are retrenched, they will be given priority when we rehire later.”

His company provides assistance to MM2H applicants from around the world.

Cheam said prior to the coronavirus crisis, many consultants had spent money promoting the  MM2H programme in Hong Kong, which was seeing social upheaval at the time.

“We also travelled to Germany and Italy at our own expense to participate in international tourism exhibitions to promote the MM2H programme.

“The government did not assist in promoting the plan, most of it was done by the consultants. But the government hastily froze the programme and did not give a clear explanation for it.

“This has definitely impacted the country negatively. And it is most unfortunate that the government does not appreciate our efforts.”

Hope and biscuits

Bosl Planning (MM2H) Sdn Bhd owner Raja Ummi Hairima feared she would have to close down if the MM2H programme was not revived soon.

She said she was doing all the work now that she could no longer afford ro hire workers.

Ummi’s clients are mostly Japanese.

She said she hoped those who had their applications rejected just before the scheme was suspended would try again when suspension was lifted.

MM2H consultant Mona has been in the business for five years.

“In the absence of income, I’ve had to to bake biscuits for sale. Our salaries were cut in August but we understand the boss’ predicament.

“The company has only two employees. We go to work once or twice a week. There are barely any documents to deal with so there is no real need to be at the office.”

Reeve Lee said he had given up the consultancy he opened with a partner.

He moved to the plantation industry in September after his income declined in March before bottoming out in June.

“Malaysia’s borders are sealed. It is unknown when the MM2H programme will resume. Not only is our company affected, but many others in the same industry are also struggling.

“I joined the industry four years ago and saw the programme frozen twice in that time. I am not sure if it is bad luck. When the government changes, there will be another review.

“This time, it is difficult to explain the situation to the clients because the suspension has been so long.”

It is unclear when Putrajaya will lift the suspension of the MM2H programme.

Malaysia’s borders remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. – December 18, 2020.