34 applications approved under revamped MM2H programme — Tiong

• An additional category, called the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Special Financial Zone (SFZ), has also been introduced, with further eased requirements.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, under the updated criteria, has recorded 34 approved applications, representing 13.7% of the total 249 applications as of Oct 14.

Of the approved applications, there are 11 principal applicants and 23 dependants, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong Kiong Sing (pictured) said during the ministerial question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

Tiong was responding to Masjid Tanah Member of Parliament Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who inquired about the latest status of the MM2H programme nationwide.

The updated MM2H guidelines, approved by the Cabinet and released by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) in June, introduced some easing of requirements regarding fixed deposits, offshore income, and liquid assets.

However, a new requirement for house purchases has been made mandatory for MM2H holders.

The programme is now divided into three categories detailing the minimum requirements for house purchases: Silver (RM600,000), Gold (RM1 million), and Platinum (RM2 million).

An additional category, called the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Special Financial Zone (SFZ), has also been introduced, with further eased requirements (fixed deposit requirement of RM500,000, reduced from RM1 million; no requirement for offshore income, compared to RM40,000 per month previously).

Despite these reduced requirements under the revamped MM2H program, Tiong emphasised that Motac, as the one-stop centre responsible for receiving and processing applications, will not compromise national security.

He noted that every applicant is required to submit a Certificate of Good Conduct (CoGC) under the revamped MM2H programme.

"After the ministry receives an application, it is sent to the relevant authorities, including the police and the Immigration Department, for the security screening process," he added.

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