The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will seek assistance from Malaysian government soon to jointly investigate alleged illegal investments made by Bangladeshi’s under second home scheme in the East Asian country.

The commission is expecting to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian government by June in this regard.

‘All persons having second home scheme in Malaysia are high profiled. We already have some information. It is now the most burning issue in Bangladesh. A MoU will be signed by June to investigate into the matter,’ said ACC commissioner Shahabuddin Chuppu.

He made the statement while addressing an exchange of views with the owners and chief executives of different electronic media over the upcoming ACC Corruption Prevention Week which is likely to begin on March 26.

‘We are the member of United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). With this affiliation, we are trying to sign a MoU with Malaysia. We have already served letters to immigration department and a proposal in this regard was submitted to the cabinet division,’ he said.

‘If we can sign a MoU with Malaysia, both countries can be able to share information which will ease the way to bring corrupt people under justice smoothly’, said Shahabuddin.

Bangladesh ranks third in MM2H programme

Bangladesh has ranked third position among the top countries after China and Japan to avail the ‘Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)’ programme.

A total of 3,005 Bangladeshis has so far availed the offer, according to the MM2H website.

Usually, a foreign national can avail 30 days visa to stay in Malaysia, but if applied under MM2H programme, a person can get residential permit for five years there.

As per the rules, one have to show proofs of liquid assets worth at least RM 5,00,000 (about Tk 1.05 crore) and show offshore income of RM 10,000 (about Tk 2.10 lakh) per month to avail the benefit.

Bangladeshis started investing in MM2h programme in 2003 with 32 people, whereas a total of 852 Bangladeshis, highest in last few years, availed the benefit in 2005. Currently, Bangladeshi citizens have 11.1% share in the programme.

According to the MM2H website, 204 Bangladeshis availed second home offer in 2004, 852 in 2005, 341 in 2006, 149 in 2007, 68 in 2008, 86 in 2009, 74 in 2010, 276 in 2011, 388 in 2012, 285 in 2013, and 250 in 2014.

Second home owners under NBR scanner

The National Board of Revenue is also working to chase and identify Bangladeshis, who have siphoned off money to settle in different countries like Malaysia under various second home schemes through massive money laundering.

Officials said that none of the second home seekers have taken consent from Bangladesh Bank before transferring the money, which is a must.

The NBR is working to identify and seek info on second home seekers to Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Canada and Qatar, through the respective embassies at the initial stage, they said.