DUN Sarawak: SMM2H passed 287 applications involving 490 participants

KUCHING, 19 Oct: The Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) programme recorded 287 applications approved involving 490 participants from 31 countries for the period January to September this year.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said his ministry remains committed to strengthening the implementation of the programme as a strategy to increase visitor arrivals and generate economic value for the state.

According to him, SMM2H also helped position Sarawak as a destination of choice for long-term residence through unique tourism experiences, good quality of life, cultural diversity and friendly environment.

"Of the overall approvals, China recorded the highest number of applications with 118 or 41.1 percent followed by the United States (28), Taiwan (19), the United Kingdom (18), Australia and Canada (13 respectively), Singapore and Japan (12 respectively), Hong Kong (nine) and South Korea (seven)", he said.

He said this while delivering his inaugural address to his ministry at the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference today.

Karim explained that the approval till September also resulted in fixed deposit (FD) quotes of RM143.5 million and processing fees of RM1.49 million.

"The processing fee quota increased from RM1.04 million recorded throughout 2025, while the fixed deposit quota last year amounted to RM146.9 million", he said.

In an effort to expand the international market, he said, his ministry continued to activate promotions to raise awareness and attract more SMM2H participants.

"Among the initiatives implemented are participation in Seoul Travel International Fair (STIF) and World Tourism Industry Conference (WTIC) in South Korea from June 4 to 6", he explained.

According to him, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts (Tourism), Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew also received the STIF Eminent Tourism Pioneers Awards in recognition of his contribution to the development and promotion of global tourism.

"The ongoing promotion is essential to strengthen Sarawak's position as a long-term residential and tourism destination capable of attracting participation from various countries", he said.

Through the implementation of SMM2H, Sarawak aims to expand international visitor markets, increase tourism-related revenues and growth in economic activity that benefits the state.-TVS