By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Dec 2: The Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) Programme has generated RM128.4 million in fixed deposit placements from January to November, with 397 applications comprising 618 programme participants approved.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, during his ministerial winding up speech, announced that a total of 2,033 participants have been approved under the programme between 2020 and November 2025.
“This figure is very much higher than the 1,240 applications approved from 2007 to 2019, before the programme was handed over to our Ministry,” he told the august House during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
Participants this year hailed from various countries, including: China (130), United States of America (46), Singapore (29), United Kingdom (26), and Taiwan (26).
Abdul Karim, who is also assemblyman for Asajaya, cited that the success was the result of his Ministry’s continuous effort to ensure a coordinated and efficient approval process of SMM2H Programme.
“Through the SMM2H Panel Committee Meeting which I chair, we evaluate and approve the applications on a monthly basis,” he said.
He said the success is particularly visible in the 2025 figures, following the introduction of updated SMM2H application and licensing requirements on January 1, 2025.
These revisions were implemented to make the programme more attractive and distinct from the Federal MM2H programme.
“This contributed to RM128.4 million in total fixed deposit placement this year and RM855,000 collected processing fees based on RM5,000 per application, contributed significantly to the State’s coffer,” added Abdul Karim.
Since 2025, the Ministry has also been empowered to issue, regulate, and strengthen the licensing requirements for SMM2H companies, approving a total of 18 licenses this year.
To sustain this growth, Abdul Karim said that MTCP has been promoting the programme internationally, with key marketing initiatives including the Expo 2025, Osaka where three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed to market Sarawak as the preferred long-term stay destination for Japanese citizens.
Another initiative is the Sarawak Mega Fair in Singapore, where SMM2H companies promoted the programme to Singaporean and other foreign visitors.
“In addition, my Ministry through Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is promoting the programme during the ITB Berlin, World Travel Market (WTM) London and B2B Sessions in Balikpapan and Pontianak,” he added.
Responding to a concern raised by Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang regarding the dependent child age group requirement, Abdul Karim said his Ministry will revisit the current SMM2H requirements for the age group. — DayakDaily
