Tiong Urges Liew To Fully Understand MM2H Issue Before Criticizing
Understanding the MM2H program in Sabah certainly has its challenges, leaving many of us scratching our heads. I’ve been right there with you, investigating thoroughly to figure out why some agents are hitting the reset button on registration.
In this post, let’s solve these re-registration puzzles together, step by step. Ready? Let’s get to it!
Key Takeaways
- Tiong King Sing wants MM2H agents in Sabah to sign up again to fix issues like agents misusing their permits. He is expected to meet Sabah with Sabah’s Chief Minister.
- Datuk Christina Liew, Sabah’s Tourism Minister, insists the MM2H program will continue in Sabah despite federal concerns. She did not attend the meetings but stresses fixing problems within the state’s program.
- To improve MM2H in Sabah, recommendations include clear communication between Tiong and Liew, setting up a team for solving agent issues, creating workshops for agents, listing trusted agents online, and involving Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) for finding ideal living spots for visitors.
Tiong’s Stance on MM2H Re-registration Requirements
Tiong King Sing, the Federal Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, made it clear he wants MM2H agents to sign up again. This is to sort out problems like agents renting out their permits or vanishing with fees they got from people.
He told us that renewing MM2H visas has nothing to do with these agent permits. Tiong expects to sit down with Sabah’s big boss, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and others to talk about how the MM2H program should work in the future.
He stressed that making agents go through registration again is essential. This way we can make sure only the good ones stay in business. Tiong talked about some bad apples among agents who messed up by either handing over their permits for money or going MIA with cash supposed for agency fees.
His move aims at cleaning the mess and bringing back trust into Malaysia’s MM2H program—making it better both for Malaysia and those dreaming of a second home here.
Liew’s Response and Concerns Regarding MM2H in Sabah
I heard about Datuk Christina Liew‘s bold move. She’s the Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister. Liew said the MM2H program in Sabah will keep going. It doesn’t matter if the federal ministry agrees or not.
This surprised many people. She didn’t agree with stopping all licensed agents who were handling this program in Sabah. It seemed like a big problem to her.
Liew had more to say on this topic too. Even though meetings happened, she chose not to go or send someone in her place. That must have been for strong reasons! Also, she talked a lot about fixing problems with the MM2H program in our state of Sabah.
On 7th June 2024, Liew highlighted that the Sabah-MM2H program faced undue interruptions after over a year of meticulous planning due to an abrupt order from the federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry directing all licensed MM2H application agents to cease operations. Despite this, she affirmed that the program would continue regardless of federal approval.
Liew stated that her ministry has designated certified agents to assist MM2H program applicants, and she has communicated this to both Hajiji and Motac. She further emphasized that continuing the program in Sabah would not violate any laws, as her ministry has coordinated with the Immigration Department, police, and other relevant authorities to ensure the legality of the applications processed under the program.
In response, Datuk Chua Soon Ping, president of the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda), declared the association’s readiness to act as agents. They aim to ensure that applicants comply with the requirement to purchase properties valued at RM600,000 or higher.
For her, these issues were very important to fix right away.
Recommendations for Improved Collaboration on MM2H Issues
Tiong and Liew need to work together on the MM2H program to make it better for Sabah. Here are some ways they can improve how they work together:
- Tiong could send clear invites for meetings about MM2H, making sure Liew knows why it’s necessary she attends. These invites should include what they will talk about, especially how to boost tourism and protect tourists.
- Liew should try to go to these meetings or pick a smart person from her team to go. This shows she cares about making the MM2H program better in Sabah.
- Both should agree on a way to quickly share updates about MM2H rules when they change. This makes sure everyone knows what’s new and can follow the rules.
- They could set up a small team with people from both their sides. This team would look at problems agents face and find ways to solve them.
- It might help if they plan workshops for agents of MM2H in Sabah and Sarawak. Here, agents can learn about new rules and how to do their job well without breaking laws.
- Making a list of official agents for MM2H in Sabah would be good too. This list should be easy for everyone to see online, so people know who they can trust.
- A big part of their job is to make sure Sabah is safe and fun for tourists. So, Tiong and Liew must talk about how they can make this happen together.
- Also talking with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could bring more support from the whole country for MM2H in Sabah.
- Finally, checking how things are going with the MM2H program often will help them fix small problems before they get big.
These steps show there are many things Tiong and Liew can do if they work together well on MM2H issues in Sabah.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, it’s evident that effective communication and collaboration are crucial in addressing the issues surrounding the MM2H program in Sabah. Tiong’s emphasis on understanding and discussing the intricacies of the program is vital for ensuring its success.
Moving forward, it’s important for all involved parties to work together towards a common goal of promoting tourism safety and attracting visitors to Sabah. By fostering open dialogue and cooperation, we can navigate through these complexities to develop solutions that benefit everyone involved in the tourism landscape.