Its president, Anthony Liew, said the programme’s policy clearly states that MM2H passes cannot be converted.
Liew added that, to his knowledge, no passholder has had their visa converted to a permanent residency or citizenship since the programme’s inception in 2002.
He said Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad had acted irresponsibly when speculating about the prospect of a Malaysian of Chinese descent becoming prime minister.
“That was a ridiculous statement,” he told FMT.
“MM2H passes can only be renewed every five years and only once the first cycle is done. Some customers also do not stay in Malaysia for long. Some dependents who are students even terminate their passes once they complete their studies.”
Liew asked whether Zaharudin was attempting to undermine and derail the MM2H programme amid concerted efforts by the government and the tourism ministry to promote the initiative internationally.
“MM2H is a long-term pass for stay only. Any policy change must go through the Cabinet. So the statement is incorrect. He should apologise to those who put so much effort into MM2H,” he said.
Yesterday, Zaharudin attempted to defend his now-deleted Facebook post which had included a photo of Johnny Lim, who was promoted to armed forces lieutenant-general earlier this week. Lim is the first Malaysian of Chinese descent to attain the three-star rank.
The PAS man said his post was aimed at raising awareness about the possibility of MM2H visa holders having children in Malaysia, seeking citizenship and even voting in the country.
He claimed the programme may result in an influx of foreigners into the country who would then apply for citizenship. That would allow for a “prime minister born from among these foreigners by 2058”, he said.
Zaharudin, the son-in-law of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, also claimed to have included Lim’s photo in his post merely for “decorative purposes”. It was not intended to convey any explicit or implicit message, he said.
DAP deputy secretary-general Steven Sim had called for legal action to be taken against Zaharudin, while PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the post went against the Islamic party’s stance.
Takiyuddin also warned of disciplinary action against members who engage in insensitive behaviour that undermines national unity and fosters disharmony.
FMT has reached out to tourism minister Tiong King Sing and home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for comment on Zaharudin’s claims.