As Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) participants continue to invest in residential property across the country, new figures tabled in Parliament highlight not only growing interest in the programme but also a persistent misunderstanding of what MM2H actually is – and what it is not.
The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme has long been positioned as a pathway for foreigners to live, spend, and contribute to Malaysia over the long term. Yet despite its decades-long existence, confusion about the scheme continues to surface, even within official settings. This was evident during a recent Dewan Rakyat session, when a parliamentary question conflated MM2H participation with the acquisition of Malaysian citizenship – something which has never been the case.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing moved quickly to clarify the issue, reiterating that MM2H has never offered citizenship or permanent resident status. Instead, it remains a long-term social visit pass with multiple-entry privileges, designed to attract financially stable and well-vetted foreigners who wish to reside in Malaysia for extended periods.
According to figures presented by the minister, a total of 744 MM2H participants had purchased homes in Malaysia as of December 31, 2025 under the new MM2H programme. These purchases represent only a portion of overall interest under the programme, he said, with a further 2,637 participants currently in the process of buying property, whether finalizing sale and purchase agreements or still identifying suitable locations.
Among those who have completed purchases, Chinese nationals accounted for the largest group, with 304 homeowners. They were followed by participants from Taiwan with 91 purchases, Singapore with 63, the United States with 41, and the United Kingdom with 40. Other notable source markets included Hong Kong with 34, Australia with 29, Bangladesh with 19, South Korea with 15, and both Indonesia and Japan with 14 each.
These figures reflect the international nature of MM2H, which remains open to applicants from around the world. Tiong stressed that the programme is not restricted to certain nationalities, countering the perception that it is dominated by participants from China, Taiwan, and Singapore by design. While applications from the Middle East are permitted, for example, participation from the region has so far remained limited. The minister noted that additional marketing is planned in this region in a bid to boost interest.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND INTENT
At its core, MM2H is a residency scheme, not an immigration shortcut. Participants are granted a long-term social visit pass with multiple-entry facilities, allowing them to live in Malaysia for extended periods while maintaining their original citizenship.
The programme is structured around four main categories. The Platinum tier offers a 20-year duration, while Gold provides 15 years and Silver five years. A separate Special Economic Zone category offers a 10-year pass. Regardless of category, each endorsement period runs for five years at a time, with renewals available until the maximum duration of the category is reached. Participants may also extend their stay every five years, subject to continued eligibility and interest.
This design underscores the programme’s original purpose: to encourage long-term residence, spending, and engagement with Malaysia’s economy and communities, rather than offering a route to citizenship or permanent settlement status. That such distinctions still require repeated clarification suggests that misunderstandings about MM2H remain widespread.
The parliamentary question that prompted the minister’s response sought not only statistics on home purchases by MM2H participants between 2023 and 2025, but also the number of participants who had obtained citizenship. The inclusion of that latter point highlights a lingering misconception – one that policymakers themselves continue to encounter.
PROPERTY, PARTICIPATION, AND PERCEPTION
Property ownership has long been one of the most visible indicators of MM2H participation. For many participants, purchasing a home represents a commitment to Malaysia as a base for retirement, semi-retirement, or extended residence. It also brings tangible benefits to the local property market, particularly in segments geared towards foreign buyers.
The fact that more than 2,600 MM2H participants are still in the process of purchasing homes suggests that demand remains steady, even amid periodic policy revisions and shifting requirements. It also points to the longer decision-making timelines often involved, as participants weigh locations, pricing, and lifestyle considerations.
Beyond property, MM2H participants contribute through daily living expenses, domestic travel, private healthcare usage, education for dependants, and other forms of local spending. These contributions align with the programme’s original intent, yet they are sometimes overshadowed by debates over eligibility criteria or assumptions about immigration outcomes.
LOOKING AHEAD
Acknowledging the uneven geographic spread of applicants, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has indicated plans to step up promotional and branding efforts in other markets, particularly in the Middle East. The aim is to broaden participation while reinforcing a clearer understanding of what MM2H offers.
For such efforts to succeed, clarity will be essential. MM2H is neither a citizenship scheme nor a backdoor to permanent residency. It is, and has always been, a long-term visa programme designed to attract residents who are willing to invest financially and socially in Malaysia while retaining their original nationality.
After all these years, the fact that this distinction still needs to be restated – even in Parliament – suggests that public communication around MM2H remains a work in progress. As Malaysia continues to refine and promote the programme, ensuring that its purpose is clearly understood here at home may be just as important as expanding its reach to a wider global audience.
Sources: Bernama, Malay Mail
