By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Oct 31: The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Sarawak expects a significant rise in applications under the newly enhanced Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme as it gains full autonomy to approve applications and issue licenses for S-MM2H agents, effective Jan 1, 2025.
Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated that this empowerment, granted by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) in July, has now been fully approved by the Sarawak Cabinet as of Oct 24.
He believes that the enhanced S-MM2H, with improved prerequisites, will attract new applicants to make Sarawak their home while also preventing unscrupulous practices among agents.
“This autonomy allows us not only to process applications but also to handle licensing for S-MM2H agents, a step forward for MTCP’s One-Stop Center,” he announced at a press conference.
MTCP collaborated with the S-MM2H panel committee, consisting of representatives from multiple Sarawak government departments, to finalise the enhanced S-MM2H requirements and establish guidelines for agent licensing.
A roundtable discussion was also held with existing S-MM2H agents on Sept 5 to align on new requirements.
Abdul Karim emphasised that since MTCP took over S-MM2H from Sarawak Immigration in 2020, the ministry has been focused on streamlining the application process.
He is optimistic that the enhanced regulations will ensure a high standard for both applicants and agents in the S-MM2H programme.
Present at the press conference were MTCP Permanent Secretary Hii Chang Kee, Datu Sherrina Hussaini, and Sarawak State Director of Immigration Abdul Halim Babang Naili. — DayakDaily
