The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is set to get a push from the Penang Government.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law said a committee would be formed to promote the programme, adding that the state was hoping to get more foreigners to come to Malaysia, especially Penang.
“Penang is now one of the best places to live. We can see Japanese, Australians and Europeans enjoying their long stays here.
“When they like living here long-term, they will buy property in Penang,” he told a press conference in Komtar yesterday.
Law said they wanted to gather travel agents, developers, tourist guides and parties who were keen to promote the programme.
“There are already guidelines in the MM2H programme but they keeps changing.
“The committee will look into it and come out with a standard brochure.”
He added that the biggest tourist arrivals at the Penang International Airport last year came from Indonesia, followed by Singapore, China, Japan, the United States and Taiwan.
“Foreigners who come and buy property here can generate an economic spin-off, for example, on food, education and medical tourism,” he said.
“Developers, travel agents and hotel representatives are among those who will participate in the China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo 2011 in Guangzhou from Sept 1 to Sept 4 and they can promote MM2H and tourism in Penang.
“The population in Guangzhou is more than 10 million and Penang is an ideal place for them to come for education, investments and tourism,” he said.
Those who are interested to join the committee can contact Law’s office at 04-6505136/2619012.
He will chair a meeting with parties related to the MM2H programme today at his office in Komtar at 3pm. - By The Star
3 comments
I am wondering about the pros & cons between long-term vs short-term foreign visitors. Which one would bring more benefits? More jobs, higher income, less shock to local property prices?
One of the many factors that cause local property price to be out of sync with local affordability is foreign property ownership.
Should we actively encourage them to buy our real estate? Should we not put some limitation to what they can own? (eg. In S'pore, foreigners are only allowed to buy condos).
Maybe we should encourage them to rent rather then own?
Are we happily selling our "heritage" (Georgetown) away to these foreigners and one day finding ourselves a heritage "bankrupt" ?
Is the PKR government doing the right thing ? On one hand is looking into the housing price issue and on the other hand is bringing more foreigner to push up the house price. Success of the MM2H programme and foreigner purchase have already contributing the increase of property price in Penang. Can you imagine what will happen to our property price in Penang if the offering them attractive packages to these rich chinese ? You are actually helping the developer to set higher price and achieving their higher sales target
Perhaps Lim Guan Eng can talk to Singapore and see if we can get independent and join Singapore. We have contributed to Malaysia more then we received. Time to change drastically. Nothing is impossible. Let's do something instead of getting hand outs from this corrupt and racist government.