Tiong called for the Bersatu MP to be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948, after she posted on X (formerly Twitter) she had “heard” that Chinese nationals who take part and receive passes under the programme would be eligible for permanent residency.

Taking to Facebook, he said MM2H’s purpose was to intensify the nation’s economic recovery efforts by opening up the programme to applicants from all over the world.

He also said the applicants, regardless of their nationality, need to fulfil platinum-category application conditions before they are allowed to apply for permanent residency in Malaysia.

“Why does Mas Ermieyati need to confuse the masses by saying that the programme favours Chinese applicants only?

“Is Mas Ermieyati purposely trying to stir up racial provocation? Is she trying to ruin racial harmony?” he said.

Tiong said improvements had been made to MM2H’s conditions and criteria so that Malaysia can pull in more applicants, especially those with good financial potential, and that the applications will be looked into transparently.

He said Mas Ermieyati was seeking “political popularity” for herself by making such comments on the programme.

“Her statement is capable of threatening Malaysia’s multiethnic harmony, and would make our country a laughing stock among the international community,” he said.