T C Goh
KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) welcomed and supported the agreement reached between the Federal and Sabah Governments for Sabah to implement its own Sabah Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) programme.
Its President Tan Sri T C Goh hopes that this long-anticipated plan can be fully implemented to accelerate development in various sectors in Sabah.
He also suggested that the Sabah Government inject more “Sabah characteristics” into this plan, while cooperating with the Federal Government, to ensure a win-win situation.
Goh, who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) was responding to the announcement of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing on Friday that the Federal Government has decided to delegate full authority to Sabah to implement the Sabah-MM2H Programme through his Ministry soon. Goh also expressed his support for the in-depth discussion between Tiong and Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew to find the best solution for the plan.
He also supported Liew’s statement that the Federal and Sabah Governments had reached a consensus on the management procedures of the plan, allowing Sabah to set its version for the programne, including its terms and conditions, handling of applications, and issuance of passes to participants.
He was convinced that the Sabah-MM2H Programme would attract more foreign citizens to reside in Sabah.
Goh, who is also a member of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC), was also convinced that despite some misunderstandings previously, with sincere discussion and coordination, the Federal and Sabah Governments, as well as Sarawak, can achieve a “triple win” under this latest plan.
He agreed that Sabah and Sarawak could set and implement their versions of the Second Home Programme, according to their respective conditions, in cooperation and coordination with the Federal Government, to achieve a win-win outcome.
He cited that the property market and prices in East Malaysia differ from (the higher) ones in West Malaysia. Therefore, the conditions for Second Home participants to own homes should be more flexible based on regional property market prices and demand, which would be the best approach.
He also hopes that the Government will strictly regulate the appointment or authorisation of agents for this plan, to ensure adherence to government policies and codes of conduct to prevent any bad apples from abusing this channel to introduce unqualified participants, or charge unreasonable additional fees, as what transpired in the past.
He acknowledged that whether in Sabah, Sarawak, or nationwide, especially after the pandemic, there is a need to attract high-quality and qualified foreign citizens, including the ever-enthusiastic Chinese citizens, to participate in the Second Home Programme to help boost the economic and consumer markets in Malaysia, and to accelerate the post-pandemic economic recovery.
“The framework, terms and conditions for the application of the new Second Home Programme need to be jointly discussed and agreed upon by the Federal and Sabah and Sarawak Governments to achieve a “triple win.”
“This would not only promote the Second Home Programme in East and West Malaysia, but also provide greater confidence and assurance to foreign citizens participating in the programme, besides enhancing Malaysia’s international image as an ideal destination for second home,” he said.
