Article By June Ramli
NEW STRAITS TIMES SATURDAY MAY 20 2006

Re-launch MM2H

KUALA LUMPUR: Expatriates who come to Malaysia under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Programme may be allowed to work here on a part-time basis.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said that currently, MM2H participants were not permitted to work while they were in the country. Discussions are underway among various ministries to relax the conditions to make the programme more attractive.

Many MM2H expatriates complain of boredom because they have little to do. They say they would like to be able to work part-time.

Jack Beetson, an Australian race-horse breeder says: "I would love to teach horseback riding but under the current conditions of MM2H I can’t."

Tengku Adnan explained at the re-launch of the programme yesterday, that the Government would be particularly interested in allowing MM2H expatriates whose expertise can serve the country, for example in biotechnology, to work.

He clarified that MM2H, which replaced the SilverHaired Programme, is not targeted at retirees who want to live here permanently or wealthy people. It is designed for those wanting to set up a second home and enjoy a better quality of life.

"In Japan if you have RM300,000 you cannot live like a king. But over here you can build a house and even have a maid," he said.

To participate in the programme, they must have RM300,000 in fixed deposit upon their arrival. Once the application is approved, they can withdraw RM250,000 to buy a house, or for education or medical purposes.

In another move to make MM2H more attractive, the present five-year multiple entry visa has been extended to 10 years and is renewable.

There are 8,574 MM2H expatriates from China, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Japan, Pakistan and Hong kong in the country. Most have set up home in Penang and Sabah because of the scenic beauty there.

Ministry of Tourism personnel, Nurul Huda Hasbollah (back, left) and Siti Nor Farizan (back, right) showing the MM2H brochure to English couple, Harry Boswell, 71 and Stephanie Bacon, 64, at the re-launch of the programme, yesterday.

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