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Sabah Launches Own MM2H Program, Applications Open Today · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: The state of Sabah has launched its own Malaysia My Second Home program, officially opening to applications today.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: The Sabah MM two H program is specific to the state of Sabah and is separate from the Federal Malaysia MM2H program.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: According to Sabah's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Data Christina Liu, the application process should take eight to ten weeks for approval.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: To be eligible for the Saba MM2H program, applicants must be at least thirty years old and hail from countries with diplomatic ties with Malaysia.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: They must purchase a high-rise property valued at a minimum of six hundred thousand ringgit and meet specific financial conditions, including a fixed deposit of one hundred and fifty thousand ringgit for individuals or three hundred thousand ringgit for families, and a monthly income of ten thousand or fifteen thousand ringgit, respectively.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: Liu emphasized that applicants cannot purchase properties under the Affordable Home Scheme, which are exclusively reserved for Sabahans and not intended for foreign investment.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_00: She highlighted that the government will also ensure there is no subletting of these permits, and that a committee will monitor these matters to ensure compliance.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: The Saba MM2H program, which grants successful applicants a 10-year residency permit, has received approval from federal authorities despite initial disputes with the Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry in May.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: Liu expressed confidence that the updated terms and conditions will prevent policy clashes with federal laws.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_00: She also clarified that participants cannot use their passes to work in the country.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: Participants must also reside in Sabah for a minimum cumulative stay of 30 days annually.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: Liu addressed concerns about the program's potential impact on property prices in Sabah, stating that not all properties are eligible under the MM2H program, and there are conditions buyers must meet.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: She assured that the state is working diligently to address infrastructure issues that may pose challenges.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_00: Approximately 3,000 empty condominium units are currently available for sale under the program.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: Sabah is planning follow-up meetings with cabinet members, ministry officials, and other stakeholders to discuss the program.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: While the Sabah MM2H and Sarawak MM2H programs share some similarities with the recently revised MM2H program, there are notable differences among the three.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: The Malaysia MM2H program, updated by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry in June 2024, maintains a three-tier structure: silver, gold, and platinum.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: Each tier has different fixed deposit requirements, ranging from 500,000 ringgit for the silver tier to 5 million ringgit for the platinum tier.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: In contrast, the Sabah MM2H program requires a fixed deposit of 150,000 ringgit for individuals and 300,000 ringgit for families, regardless of the applicant's financial status.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: The Sarawak MM2H program has the lowest fixed deposit requirement at approximately 150,000 ringgit.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: The Saba MM2H also requires an annual income of 10,000 ringgit or 15,000 ringgit for single applicants or families, respectively.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: Sarawak's program also has an income requirement of 7,000 ringgit for single applicants or 10,000 ringgit for families.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: Malaysia's federal MM2H program does not have an income requirement.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: The Saba MM2H program offers a 10-year residency permit to successful applicants, while the Malaysia MM2H program offers residency permits valid for 5 years, silver, 15 years, gold, and 20 years, platinum.
• 3:54
  SPEAKER_00: Sarawak's MM2H program offers a five-year residency, renewable for another five years.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: The three programs allow participants to purchase property in Malaysia, but with different conditions.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: The Sabai MM2H program requires applicants to purchase a high-rise property, valued at a minimum of 600,000 ringgit, and they cannot buy properties under the Affordable Home Scheme.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: Sarawak's MM2H requires applicants aged 40 through 50 to invest at least 600,000 ringgit in real estate unless they are undergoing medical treatment in Sarawak or have children enrolled in Sarawak Learning Institutes.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_00: The Malaysia MM2H program, on the other hand, allows applicants to purchase properties under specific criteria, but it is not a requirement.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_00: Malaysia has set minimum property values based on the tier, 600,000 ringgit for silver, one million ringgit for gold, and two million ringgit for platinum.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: Additionally, Malaysia MM2H holders cannot resell their property for ten years, while the Saba MM2H program has not mentioned such restrictions.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_00: Another difference is the age requirement for applicants.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_00: The Saba and Sarawak programs require applicants to be at least thirty, while the Malaysia MM2H program sets the minimum age at twenty five.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_00: All the programs require participants to reside in Malaysia for a certain period each year.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_00: The Saba MM2H and Sarawak MM2H programs mandate a minimum cumulative stay of 30 days annually in their respective jurisdictions, while the Malaysia MM2H program requires holders to reside 60 days a year in Malaysia, regardless of their tier.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: This episode first appeared as an article by Ahmad Abbas on IMIDaily.com.
• 5:50
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• 5:57
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