Sabah may proceed with its own MM2H programme despite federal directive, says state Tourism Minister
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah might consider going ahead with its own Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) programme regardless of the federal government's decision.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the sudden directive from the Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to all licensed agents handling the MM2H applications, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, to stop their operations was unfavourable.

She said Sabah had already laid out plans to roll out the programme and launch it by 1 June, but these were derailed following the May 27 circular.

"After this circular, we requested a review of Motac's decision to suspend the operations of licensed agents, especially the Sabah agents, some of whom still hold valid licences approved and issued by the Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry," she said.

"Failing this, my ministry will appoint and authorise state representatives to process applications for the Sabah-MM2H programme," Liew said.

She said the ministry had engaged with relevant authorities such as the Immigration Department, police, and Home Affairs office to coordinate the workflow to ensure applications for the Sabah-MM2H programme could be processed smoothly.

"We were all ready to roll out the Sabah-MM2H programme on 1 June, and many were looking forward to submitting their applications. In fact, we had finalised the criteria for the programme three months ago," she said.

"We were surprised when the Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry suspended the operations of all licensed agents in processing new applications with immediate effect," Liew said.

"This unfavourable move has adversely affected our progress and our intended launch of the programme as planned," she stated.

According to her, the Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry issued a circular dated 27 May 2024 to all licensed agents handling the MM2H applications, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, to stop their operations.

So, the ministry wrote to the Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry on May 28 to explain its preparations for inaugurating the Sabah-MM2H programme by June 1, said Liew.

On May 31, the Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry replied by way of a circular to KePKAS stating that no one was allowed to process new applications for the Sabah-MM2H programme until further notice, the Liew added.
Sabah & Sarawak,Sabah-MM2H,Sabah Tourism,Christina Liew,Motac,Federal Directive,My Second Home Programme,Sabah Immigration,Tourism Policy,State-Federal Relations
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah might consider going ahead with its own Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) programme regardless of the federal government's decision.