PETALING JAYA: Shortage of foreign labour and issues involving the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme are among the topics discussed by industry players and relevant ministries, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       In a statement on his Facebook page, the Transport Minister said he held two separate meetings between the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), and the Home and Human Resources ministers.

       “As I promised in a dialogue session with the ACCCIM on Sept 7, today I held two separate face-to-face meeting sessions between ACCCIM, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan during a break at the Dewan Rakyat meeting this afternoon,” he said.

       ACCCIM president Datuk Low Kian Chuan raised issues related to MM2H as well as foreign labour shortage in various sectors to the Home Minister.

       The MM2H programme was reactivated in August with new stricter conditions.

       The participants must be in the country for at least 90 cumulative days in a year to ensure that they truly contribute to the Malaysian economy, and are also required to have an offshore income of at least RM40,000 a month, compared to RM10,000 previously.

       They must also have a fixed deposit account with a minimum of RM1mil, with 50% maximum withdrawal allowed for the purpose of buying property or spending on health and children’s education.

       Previously, participants only needed to place RM300,000 in fixed deposits while for those over 50, the amount was RM150,000.

       New applications, which can be submitted starting October, will now be reviewed by the Immigration Department, which has taken over these duties from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

       “Various views and suggestions from the stakeholders were discussed openly and professionally with Datuk Seri Hamzah,” Dr Wee said on Tuesday (Sept 14).

       Also present during the discussions were ACCCIM lifetime honorary president Tan Sri William Cheng, honorary president Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian, secretary-general Datuk Tan Tian Meng and executive director Lee Heng Guie.

       He added the stakeholders also met with Saravanan in a brief meeting to discuss the labour issues.

       “Cooperation between the Home Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry is important to meet the needs of labour in efforts to revive the economy.

       “I am glad that all parties involved in this meeting have given positive responses and I am confident that with joint efforts, the problems raised can be resolved in the near future,” Dr Wee said.