Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home Programme soars with 2,033 sign-ups in last five years

KUCHING (Dec 2): The Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home Programme (SMM2H) recorded 2,033 participants from 2020 to Nov 2025.

Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this far exceeds the 1,240 applications approved from 2007 to 2019, prior to the programme’s transfer to his ministry.

“The increase in approved applications reflects our ministry’s continuous efforts to ensure a coordinated and efficient SMM2H approval process.

“Through the SMM2H Panel Committee Meeting, which I chair, applications are evaluated and approved on a monthly basis,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here.

He said the ministry approved 397 applications covering 618 participants this year up to last month, including 130 from China, 46 from the United States, 29 from Singapore, 26 from the United Kingdom, and 26 from Taiwan.

“This resulted in RM128.4 million in total Fixed Deposit placements this year and RM855,000 in processing fees at RM5,000 per application, contributing significantly to the state’s coffers,” he said.

He revealed that 18 licences for SMM2H companies were approved by the ministry this year as of last month.

Additionally, he noted that the ministry has been actively promoting the programme through international roadshows.

“At Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan from Aug 4-10, three memorandums of understanding were signed between Sarawak SMM2H companies and Japanese partners to market Sarawak as a preferred long-term stay destination.

“During the Sarawak Mega Fair in Singapore from Oct 16-21, 2025, SMM2H companies had the opportunity to engage Singaporean and other international visitors.

“The ministry, through the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), also promoted the programme at ITB Berlin, World Travel Market London, and B2B sessions in Balikpapan and Pontianak,” he added.