By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, June 7: The Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) should discuss with Sabah and Sarawak prior to suspending the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme in both States, says Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) expressed his disappointment in the federal ministry’s decision, through a circular dated May 27, to suspend the operations of all licensed agents in processing new MM2H applications, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, with immediate effect.
He explained that Sabah and Sarawak’s MM2H programmes have different conditions and requirements compared to West Malaysia’s, as both States have their own immigration autonomy.
“If the ministry’s directive was to make way for changes in policy, the new policy should apply only to West Malaysia. Do not disturb Sabah and Sarawak.
“Any changes affecting Sabah and Sarawak should be discussed together and not decided solely by MOTAC while the two States just follow. I’m very disappointed,” he told reporters when met during his walkabout visit to Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) here today.
Abdul Karim further revealed that during a recent Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) meeting, the tourism matter had been agreed to be moved from the Federal List to the Concurrent List.
In fact, he pointed out that tourism was included under the Federal List in 1992 without being discussed with Sabah and Sarawak prior to the formation of Malaysia.
“If we follow the Federal Constitution, any matters that were not discussed and not included in the Federal List, State List or Concurrent List, will automatically fall under the Residual List – under State’s right.
“However, in 1992, the federal government formulated a Bill to include the tourism matter under the Federal List without informing the affected States.
“That is the reason why we have been fighting for our rights back as enshrined under MA63,” he added.
Moving forward, Abdul Karim said the Sarawak government will follow-up this matter with the Federal government. — DayakDaily
