Kuala lumpur: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has urged MM2H Programme agents to comply with the laws of the countries where they operate when promoting the programme and recruiting participants overseas to prevent confusion and fraud.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tiong emphasized that holding a licence to operate in Malaysia does not automatically ensure that MM2H agents meet the regulatory requirements of other countries. "Agents who have obtained MM2H licences in Malaysia should not assume that they have fulfilled all regulatory requirements. When promoting MM2H and recruiting clients in other countries, they must also understand local laws and cooperate with local authorities," he stated in a Facebook post.

Tiong highlighted that this issue was discussed during a meeting with the Malaysian Association in the Republic of Korea during his recent visit. The meeting was attended by the association's president Dr Aaron Kim Hong-Seok, secretary-general Kim Jun-Hyung, and several other representatives. The association expressed concerns that some MM2H agents in Malaysia might not fully understand the regulatory system and were dealing directly with local individuals, leading to claims that they could handle MM2H applications.

Tiong assured that upon his return to Malaysia, he would remind all MM2H agent companies to comply with all applicable rules and regulations. He stressed the importance of prioritizing the protection of applicants and ensuring that the market develops transparently, legally, and orderly.

He also emphasized the need for a clearer cooperation mechanism between MM2H agents in Malaysia and local industry partners in key markets to reduce ambiguity and prevent fraud and misunderstandings. This, he believes, would enhance confidence in the programme among prospective foreign applicants.

Tiong noted the strong potential of the Korean market for MM2H, especially among retirees seeking to make Malaysia their second home during the winter months. He expressed hope that MM2H agents would intensify promotional efforts in the Korean market and collaborate with local industry partners for more effective programme promotion.