Sabah govt fully committed to My Second Home programme, says Jafry

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 19): The Sabah government remains fully committed to supporting responsible and sustainable growth of the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, said Datuk Jafry Ariffin.

The Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister said the Sabah-MM2H initiative is opening doors for global citizens to experience not only Sabah’s natural wonders, but also the lifestyle, peace, and cultural harmony.

“We believe this initiative contributes positively to our economy, stimulating tourism, real estate, local businesses, and professional services, while also strengthening international ties and cross-cultural understanding,” he said at the Sabah-MM2H Consultants Association Pre-Chinese New Year Gala Dinner recently.

“Beyond being a world-class tourism destination, Sabah is also increasingly recognised as a preferred place to live, invest, and build long-term connections.”

He stressed the role played by professional consultants and industry partners is crucial.

“Your professionalism, transparency, and integrity help ensure that Sabah-MM2H continues to grow with credibility and trust.

“I would like to encourage the association to uphold high standards, work closely with the government, and continue promoting Sabah as a safe, welcoming, and sustainable home for the global community,” he said.

During the event, the Sabah-MM2H founding committee was officially installed and a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalised with Standard Chartered Bank (M) Berhad to establish the bank as an official banking partner to support the financial and compliance requirements of the Sabah-MM2H programme.

Sabah-MM2H founding president Jenny Ngu and Standard Chartered Bank (M) Berhad international banking and family office head Vincent Bong signed the MoU.

Jafry described the strategic collaboration between Sabah-MM2H and Standard Chartered enhances investor confidence, improve financial facilitation, and strengthen the ecosystem supporting long-term residents in Sabah.

“Such cooperation is vital as we move forward in positioning Sabah as a competitive and attractive destination in the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ceremony marked the formal establishment of the association’s leadership, following the formation of its pro tem committee on May 13, 2024 and its official registration on May 16, 2025.

The association was established upon the successful issuance of Sabah’s first Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry consultant licences, formalising a professional body representing licensed Sabah-MM2H consultants.

In her speech, Ngu said the installation signifies an important step in strengthening governance, professional standards, and coordination among licensed consultants under the Sabah-MM2H programme.

She also said Sabah-MM2H works in close collaboration with the Sabah-MM2H Committee comprising relevant ministries and enforcement agencies, to ensure full compliance, transparency, and the highest standards of programme integrity.

“The official installation of our founding committee represents a historic and meaningful milestone for Sabah-MM2H. The association was established to serve as a unified professional platform representing licensed consultants while supporting the growth, integrity, and global positioning of the Sabah-MM2H programme.”