Chinese citizens hold the highest number of active MM2H passes

• As of Jan 31 this year, China nationals represent 24,765 out of a total of 56,066 holders.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): As of Jan 31 this year, China nationals represent the highest number of active MM2H pass holders, at 24,765 out of a total of 56,066.

This was revealed by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pictured) in a parliamentary written reply on March 11.

This was followed by Australia (9,265), South Korea (4,940), Japan (4,733), Bangladesh (3,604) and the United Kingdom (2,234), according to a report by the Malay Mail.

The news portal added that Taiwan, the United States, Singapore and India, each have more than 1,000 active MM2H pass holders.

“(The Tourism Ministry), together with the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department, are in the midst of refining and detailing each proposal to improve the requirements of the programme taking into account input and feedback from stakeholders and industry players, so that the number of participants can be increased, encouraging the arrival of tourists and foreign investors to Malaysia.

“Among the conditions examined are age eligibility, financial ability, minimum residency period, MM2H pass period and ease of residential property ownership," he said in the parliamentary written reply.

According a report by The Star, Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) had asked for the latest MM2H figures as well as the Putrajaya's plans to improve the programme.

“After it is finalised at the ministry level, the new conditions will be brought to the Cabinet for approval before being implemented.

“To maintain national security, applicants are required to submit a Certificate of Good Conduct for themselves and their dependents issued and verified by the authorities in their country of origin or current country of residence," Tiong explained.

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