Tiong Hits Out At Claim Of China Nationals Getting Pr

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Federal minister Tiong King Sing said ‘misleading narratives’ can provoke racial tension and division, potentially leading to serious consequences. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing has labelled as irresponsible a claim by a former minister that over 20,000 Chinese nationals in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme had been made permanent residents.
Tiong said that the allegation by Rais Yatim, which was posted on Facebook, could cause confusion and spark racial tension, Bernama reported.
He said Rais should have verified the information first. “Misleading narratives like this can provoke racial tension and division, potentially leading to serious consequences,” he was quoted as saying.
Rais, who was information, communications and culture minister from 2009 to 2013, had on March 6 sarcastically congratulated 22,000 Chinese nationals for being made permanent residents under the MM2H programme.
MM2H is a programme for wealthy foreigners who may obtain long-stay visas of up to 15 years in return for financial and property investment ranging from US$150,000 to US$2 million.
Rais wrote: “The minister, Tiong, must be proud. 22,000 is half of the constituents in Jelebu”, a reference to his former parliamentary constituency.
His comment was in response to a news report quoting Tiong as saying that applicants from China made up the bulk of the 22,282 MM2H applications approved since 2015.
However, Tiong said the MM2H programme was open to all and not just Chinese nationals.
There was no hidden agenda in MM2H, which he added was aimed at attracting foreign investments and improving Malaysia’s position as the destination of choice for investors and international residents.
“This programme was designed to generate economic benefits for the country. Comments by Rais could affect the MM2H brand and its potential, as well as discourage foreign investors,” he said. - FMT

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