JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor will now personally take up the matter of the new criteria for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme with the Prime Minister.
Expressing his dismay at the Home Ministry for its reluctance to review the new criteria, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (pic) said Johor was a popular MM2H destination and the potential loss of revenue to the state was enormous.
“The ministry’s decision is mind boggling and outrageous, considering that MM2H has brought huge economic benefits to Malaysia,” he said on Facebook yesterday.
The Ruler said the rejection of appeals for a review was despite an earlier promise by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin to reconsider the new criteria.
“What we have heard in Parliament is a mere promise to consider MM2H applicants on a case-by-case basis.
“It falls short of expectations and I can only say that this is pathetic,” His Majesty said, calling it a complete letdown to all the existing MM2H participants and the relevant stakeholders.
“If security was the main reason for the new criteria, then the ministry only needs to revoke the visas of errant MM2H pass holders instead of a blanket ruling that affects everyone,” said the Sultan.
On Tuesday, Hamzah had told the Dewan Rakyat that the criteria revision was done to attract high quality participants who were genuine and could contribute positively to economic growth.
He also said some applicants were actually using Malaysia as a transit to carry out unwanted activities under the pretext of being MM2H participants.
The Johor Ruler said MM2H offered multiplier economic effects.
“Malaysians benefit, and so does the government. But now we are chasing them away. And the bad international publicity is detrimental for Malaysia,“ the Sultan stressed.
“I hope good sense will prevail and the government will reinstate the programme without any drastic changes immediately,” added His Majesty.
On Aug 30, the Johor Sultan had made a similar call, saying that the new conditions were too restrictive.
It was announced on Aug 11 that MM2H would be reactivated with nine new conditions after the programme was suspended in August last year due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The revised terms and requirements of MM2H, which takes effect in October, includes an increase in the minimum monthly income (derived from offshore sources) to RM40,000, a minimum fixed deposit of RM1mil, a minimum liquidity requirement of RM1.5mil, a yearly visa fee of RM500 and a reduction of the visa duration to five years.