By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 19:The Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) programme has generated an estimated RM5.6 billion in total economic impact for Sarawak from 2007 to 2025, benefiting sectors such as property, education, healthcare, tourism, food and beverage, transportation, insurance, rental and entertainment
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the programme continues to play a vital role in positioning Sarawak as a preferred destination for long-term residency due to its high quality of life, cultural diversity and welcoming environment.
He said the ministry remains committed to strengthening the implementation of SMM2H as part of its strategy to boost visitor arrivals and generate greater economic value for the State.
According to him, since the ministry took over management of the programme in 2020, there has been a significant increase in approved applications.
“From 2020 until April 2026, we recorded a total of 2,191 approved applications. This achievement far exceeds the 1,240 applications approved between 2007 and 2019, before the programme was handed over to the ministry’s administration.
“From January to April this year alone, 121 applications involving 217 participants were approved,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting today.
He said the highest number of applicants came from China with 48 applicants, followed by the United States (15), the United Kingdom (9), Singapore (8) and Taiwan (7).
The programme also contributed RM605,000 in processing fees and attracted fixed deposit placements amounting to RM60.5 million, he added.
Abdul Karim further revealed that the authority to license SMM2H companies was placed under the ministry beginning this year, strengthening the licensing framework and enabling more effective regulation of the programme.
“From January 2025 to April this year, 23 licences have been approved,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the ministry, through the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), is intensifying global promotional efforts for the SMM2H programme through participation in major international trade and travel exhibitions.
Among the events are ITB Berlin 2026, ITB China, the Seoul International Tourism Forum (SITF), World Travel Market (WTM) London and various business-to-business engagements. — DayakDaily
