KUCHING: The Sarawak – Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme is popular and 386 applications were approved during the first eight months this years, says state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“We have approved 66 applications today, and if I remember correctly, another 90 applications are pending review for approval,” he said.

The number of applicants for S-MM2H programme increased from 441 in 2022 to 542 in 2023, an increase of 22.90 per cent.

The Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry took over the S-MM2H programme from state immigration department in 2020, and revamped the programme several times for it to be more attractive.

Of the applicants, Chinese nationals topped the list with 391 applications, followed by 350 British, 262 Taiwanese, 255 from Hong Kong, 210 Americans, 207 Singaporeans, 178 Koreans, 138 Japanese, 121 Australians and 117 Indonesians.

Abdul Karim said the Sarawak state government issued permits to agents handling MM2H based on its own criteria different from West Malaysia’s.