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Hongkongers eyeing move to Malaysia amid unrest ‘must not be running away from something’
- Officials caution applicants to My Second Home scheme that a strict vetting process is in place amid concerns that Hongkongers involved in illegal acts could seek refuge abroad
- Agents for the programme have reported a rise in interest from the city of 20 to 30 per cent
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Hongkongers are “more than welcome” to move to Malaysia through the country’s My Second Home programme but must not be “running away from something”, officials said on Wednesday amid reports of a spike in interest since the city’s anti-government protests took off.
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Tourism, arts and culture ministry secretary general Isham Ishak warned that residents of the city must be genuine applicants and pass a stringent vetting process.
“We will do background checks,” he told Malaysian state media amid concerns that Hongkongers involved in illegal acts could seek refuge abroad.
The programme aims to attract wealthy foreigners. Lim Kok Sai, president of the Malaysia My Second Home Agents Association, said interest from Hongkongers had shot up by nearly a third “of late”.
“We don’t have the figures as it takes time to process the applications, and on Hong Kong’s side they must apply for a good conduct clearance certificate, but I believe there is about 20 to 30 per cent more interest,” Lim said.
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