PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Tourism Ministry is looking at ways to strengthen promotions for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme next year, said its minister Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen.

Ng said the ministry is looking a various promotional possibilities that include working with non-governmental organizations in foreign countries such as medical and sports associations to help to attract foreigners.

“It is all about awareness. MM2H is moving slowly. We have people applying but not as many numbers as we would like.  Our staff will be going to Japan and London next to promote the MM2H,” she told a media conference on Oct 30.

“I’m looking forward to some budget allocation for MM2H promotion. There’s never any budget to promote MM2H,” she said.  Some RM899 million has been allocated under Budget 2010 to enhance the tourism sector. As many as 12,500 MM2H applications has been approved to date.

Ng said the Ministry is also developing new tourism products including an initiative to redevelop Malaysian parks and gardens to attract both foreign and domestic tourists.

Renowned garden designers from the Monet Garden in Paris, Jane Huntley and Gilbert Vahe as well as Jekka McVicar from the United Kingdom were here on a 10-day study tour of Malaysia’s herbal and botanical gardens.