Sarawak Minister Criticizes Tourism Ministry Over New MM2H Policy

Understanding the changing world of policies can be quite the maze, can’t it? Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, along comes a curveball that leaves us scratching our heads.

That’s exactly what happened last month when an announcement from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) about adjustments to the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program caught many by surprise.

With a keen interest in how these shifts affect tourism—particularly in gems like Sarawak and Sabah—I examined the details to get to the bottom of things. This post is your compass through the intricacies, explaining why Sarawak Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is standing up against these changes and what this might mean for our treasured regions’ future in tourism.

Stay with me; we’re about to uncover some intriguing insights.

Criticism of the New MM2H Policy by Sarawak Minister

Sarawak Minister criticizes Tourism Ministry over new MM2H policy. Concerns include autonomy in immigration and impact on Sarawak and Sabah’s tourism.

Concerns over autonomy in immigration

I found out the new MM2H policy by the federal tourism ministry is causing a stir. Sarawak and Sabah, where I live, feel left out. Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah made it clear he was disappointed with Motac.

He said they didn’t talk to us in Borneo before making big changes. The rules are different here compared to peninsular Malaysia, like how much money you need to show in your bank account.

We were surprised; there was no discussion with us, Abdul Karim noted.

It’s vital for Sarawak and Sabah to have a say in who comes into our states because of our unique rights over immigration. This decision could hurt our local tourism too, which doesn’t make sense since attracting visitors is what we all want to do.

It seems like this new policy might forget that each place in Malaysia has its own way of doing things, especially when it comes to letting people from other countries stay with us for a long time.

Impact on Sarawak and Sabah’s tourism

The new MM2H policy has really shaken things up for Sarawak and Sabah. Before, lots of people applied to stay in these lush places through the program. It was a big win for local tourism.

Visitors came, fell in love with our forests and beaches, and spent money at our shops and hotels. But then came the circular last month. Suddenly, Sarawak and Sabah’s special way of welcoming visitors got caught in a big tangle.

Here’s what gets me: we were doing great, leading meetings, deciding who could come enjoy our homes under the Sarawak-MM2H program despite what Kuala Lumpur said. Now, there’s fear that fewer folks might come visit because of stricter rules from above.

Fewer tourists mean less money for local businesses — from those selling handmade crafts to operators giving tours into heart-stopping caves or along serene river cruises in Kota Kinabalu or Kuching.

It feels like someone pulled the rug out from under us just as we had found a steady footing.

Responses from the Tourism Ministry

The Tourism Ministry explained the policy changes and defended the new regulations. They emphasized the importance of national safety and reputation, stating that existing MM2H agents must re-register regardless of federal or state jurisdiction.

Explanation of policy changes

Last month, the Tourism Ministry sent out a notice that shook things up for Sarawak and Sabah’s MM2H program. They set new rules without sitting down with us first. This bothered me a lot.

We in Sarawak see things differently from peninsular Malaysia, especially regarding our MM2H program. For example, we ask people to put less money in a fixed deposit than they do over there.

Because of this, more folks wanted to join Sarawak-MM2H, making our version popular.

Now, here’s what got under my skin: The ministry made these changes without considering how unique our state is or how it might affect our tourism and local control over who comes and goes.

I had hoped Christina Liew and her team would have talked to us or at least tried to understand why Sabah and we might need different things. But nope—they went ahead with their plan anyway.

So here we stand, determined to keep calling the shots on approving applications for Sarawak-MM2H despite what the federal government says.

Defense of the new regulations

The new regulations are meant to modernize and streamline the MM2H program. They aim to ensure the safety of all participants and enhance the overall efficiency of the program. The changes will lead to a more robust and reliable system that can adapt to an ever-changing landscape.

Under the newly issued regulations, which will soon be gazetted, all MM2H agents are required to reapply for their permits through the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

“The ministry will not acknowledge existing agents moving forward; all agents with expired permits must reapply and will be subject to rigorous background checks. Permit renewals will only be granted to those who meet the criteria set out in the new regulations,” Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing further explained.

The federal government’s decision stems from a commitment to improve the credibility and reliability of the MM2H program. While acknowledging some initial concerns over autonomy in immigration delegated to Sabah and Sarawak, it’s important to note that enhanced regulations will ultimately bolster the long-term success of this initiative.

These changes are tailored towards providing a transformative ecosystem that not only safeguards its participants but also facilitates engaging solutions amid our ever-evolving world.

Conclusion

The Sarawak Minister’s criticism of the new MM2H policy raises valid concerns about autonomy in immigration and its impact on tourism in Sarawak and Sabah. The federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture needs to address these differences by working with the Borneo states rather than imposing unilateral policies.

It’s essential to ensure that the MM2H program accommodates the unique conditions of each region for the benefit of tourism.