DPM moots RM2mil deposit for businessmen to move to Sarawak

Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said businessmen who met the conditions might be made permanent residents in Sarawak. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof has suggested making it mandatory for West Malaysian businessmen to deposit RM2 million into a state-owned bank in order to migrate to Sarawak.

Fadillah also said the Sarawak government could require such businessmen to purchase property worth at least RM1.5 million before allowing them in, The Borneo Post reported.

“If they want to migrate to Sarawak, by all means. I want to suggest to the premier, that when we have our own bank later, those wishing to migrate to Sarawak must have a minimum deposit of RM2 million in our state-owned bank, or purchase property here for no less than RM1.5 million.

“At least this will generate income for our state. (These businessmen) can also be made permanent residents in Sarawak,” he was quoted as saying.

Fadillah, who is MP for Petra Jaya, said Sarawak’s harmonious environment and political stability were major factors attracting “business friends in the peninsula wanting to migrate here”. He also said some in West Malaysia were envious of these facets of Sarawak.

Last year, Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg proposed the establishment of a state-owned commercial bank to facilitate easier access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.

In January, he said negotiations with the Armed Forces Fund Board for the state government to acquire an additional stake in Affin Bank were set to be finalised soon.