Sabah's My Second Home launch derailed by Motac directive: Liew
Published on: Thursday, June 06, 2024
The tourism minister said that on May 27, Motac disseminated a notice to all MM2H application agents nationwide, instructing them to cease operations. (File pic for general illustration)
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah State Government's initiative to inaugurate the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) programme by June 1 has been unexpectedly halted due to a sudden directive from the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew reportedly revealed.
The minister said that the State Government, through her ministry (KePKAS), had coordinated with key departments and agencies, including the Immigration Department, police and the Home Ministry to ensure a seamless application process for the Sabah-MM2H programme.
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It is established that only local Sabah enterprises holding a Motac-issued MM2H licence are permitted to facilitate application processing, safeguarding Sabah's interests.
Preparations were in full swing to launch the program on the 1st of June, with many eagerly awaiting the opportunity to apply, Liew was quoted as saying in a Thursday statement.
The programme's criteria had been set in stone three to four months prior, however, Motac's unexpected decision to halt the operations of all licensed agents for new applications has thrown a wrench in our plans, she reportedly added.
Liew elaborated that on May 27, Motac disseminated a notice to all MM2H application agents nationwide, instructing them to cease operations.
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In response, KePKAS reached out to Motac on May 28, detailing our extensive preparations for the Sabah-MM2H programme's launch scheduled for June 1st, Liew recalled, adding they also appealed for a reconsideration of the suspension of licensed agents.
Should Motac maintain its stance, my ministry is prepared to designate and empower state representatives to manage potential applicants' submissions, Liew clarified.
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On May 31st, Motac responded with a directive to KePKAS, enforcing a moratorium on processing new Sabah-MM2H applications until a subsequent announcement, the minister added.
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