‘Attract these China students’ call
Published on: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
By: Ricardo Unto
MM2H programme, he said, also contributes towards diversifying and creating job opportunities in the country. - FMT pic for illustration only
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah should tap into developing edutourism under Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme to attract foreigners who are looking for study options for their children.
Citing China, MM2H Consultants Association President Anthony Liew said some parents are willing to send their children to study abroad, even at secondary level education.
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“China has implemented a policy where those who do not do well after their Form Three (junior (lower middle school) can only enrol in technical or vocational schools,” he said during the plenary session at the 7th Sabah International Surveyors’ Congress, here.
“Due to this, many parents are worried that their children would not obtain white-collared jobs but blue-collared ones.
“As such, they are willing to spend their money and time in Malaysia for education.
“If Sabah does not have many international schools, perhaps developers or surveyors here can look into this.
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“In the peninsula, there are over 100 international schools, and for the popular ones, they are running on total capacity…there are not enough international schools in the peninsula.
“I believe when Sabah MM2H opens up, this is one of the demands.”
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Currently, there are four international schools in Sabah – Kinabalu International School and Jesselton International School (both in Kota Kinabalu), Vision International School and Charis International School (both in Tawau).
Another sector that benefits much from the MM2H programme is property investment, he said.
“In the peninsula, they (MM2H participants) do not necessarily have to buy a property, but they can rent a house,” he said.
Aside from that, the tourism sector is also boosted through the programme.
“Not only do they (MM2H participants) stay in Malaysia, but they also have family members and friends coming over to visit them, and indeed, they will spend money in the country.
“Furthermore, these MM2H participants are rich people and will not go for budget accommodations. They will opt for at least a 3-star or 5-star hotel.
“I have also seen my customers in Kuala Lumpur, where they bought a lot of branded cosmetics products because, in China, they are quite expensive.
“One of them even had a whole luggage full of cosmetics products as they are tax-free in Malaysia.
“I think Sabah, too, has a few high-end shopping centres that can cater for their shopping needs.”
MM2H programme, he said, also contributes towards diversifying and creating job opportunities in the country.
“Some of the participants may establish their companies here, and they will hire Malaysians to run their businesses as they can invest but cannot operate their companies in the country,” he said.
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