Liew (seated, left) listening to questions from registered agents of the programme.
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) Programme Chairperson Datuk Seri Christina Liew has commended registered agents for the progress made thus far.
“We (Sabah-MM2H Committee) have received more applications from applicants in China, Taiwan and other countries. We encourage you to continue promoting the programme to potential clients overseas through roadshows or other platforms.
“We look forward to more foreign applicants buying property here and considering Sabah as their second home,” she said during a meeting with 25 agents here Thursday.
Liew, who is also the Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, informed them of several amendments to the criteria for participation in the programme, as approved by the State Cabinet.
The minimum age for one to apply has now been lowered to 25 as opposed to 30 previously. Secondly, a successful applicant may place his or her mandatory fixed deposit (as one of the requirements) in any of the 12 authorised commercial banks, and is allowed to withdraw 50 pper cent of his or her fixed deposit after a period of 12 months for education purposes or medical treatment expenses.
Generally, the agents were happy with the amendments, saying the amended criteria are favourable and more attractive to potential applicants.
Liew also took note of several concerns and issues raised by the agents, relating to the classification of buildings that can be purchased, among other aspects.
“We will discuss and evaluate these in our next monthly meeting and keep you posted,” she assured them, adding that the Sabah-MM2H Committee has been efficient in processing and approving applications from overseas applicants for participating in the Sabah-MM2H programme.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai and members of the Sabah-MM2H Committee.
