SushiFan

Same here: I've never been in Putrajaya. My agent went to take care of all the formalities.

columbine

Yes, I remember that discussion in the old forum (Scott's). I gave feedback after we did ours and a few others gave same feedbacks. We did the Renewal ourselves and as per forum we went, but officer didn't need our proof of income as we applied under FD and not income.
We are the one that never got the "missing" Letter of Acceptance from the Butterworth Immigration Office, I posted that on the old forum.
Now, Butterworth and Putrajaya know our case and have assured us not to worry. The Assistant Director and Director of MM2H in Putrajaya and the Officer at Butterworth Immigration are very helpful.
If you have doubts, write to them.
We did the last extension using an agency in PG (we got new passports) as we were very busy and agency said without the Letter of Acceptance they would not do it for us in the future! We wrote to the Assistant Director of MM2H and he referred our case to the Director and relevant Officers of MM2H. Now with the Assurance from Putrajaya MM2H and a personal call from the Officer from Butterworth that they are aware of our mysteriously missing Letter of Acceptance (even the one on file is missing!) , we are confident they don't make life hard for seniors like us who have been in the MM2H program all these years.

columbine

Apply For Renewal - MM2H Official Portal

It's very clear here in the Official Website the 2 categories Applicants apply under and for Renewal under the 2 categories.

Gunnar45

Columbine,
Yes, the statement on the renewal page of the portal doesn't mention that bank statements are required for FD criteria renewal.
But the announcement from July 2012 does so because it mentions ALL applications.
However, it does not firmly state any specific amount (Like 10k for the renewal based on pension option)

I think that what is really required will remain unclear until someone feeds back a reasonably recent real case or a statement form some agent.

columbine

Hi Gunnar, How is your Renewal so far?

Interestingly, my Ozzie neighbor in Pg who got his MM2H (about the year I got mine, 2004) and also got it via the immigration Office in Butterworth. Like me he also wasn't given the Letter of Approval! I was told by officer in Butterworth to Renew at PWTC in 2009 and that's when they wanted to see the Letter of Approval there, but never in Penang.
He has been Extending and Renewing in Butterworth (without having to show the Letter) and has never had them done in PWTC nor Putrajaya!!! He's due for Renewal this or next week. It'll be interesting to know his outcome, too. I'm not in Pg at the moment, but I did tell him I'd be very interested to know how he got along.

Gunnar45

Hello Columbine,
I have not started my renewal yet, will commence early next year.
But my agent said that I had to show some income even though I got approved with the FD option.

columbine

Thanks, Gunnar.
I'll see how my neighbor got on with his Renewal when I'm back in Pg.

bakedbean

I know of a couple who renewed end of last year and they also were asked to show income despite not having to first time around.

satumadu

Hi All... I haven't posted since starting this thread because it seemed useless to speculate. I now can report that I have completed the renewal process.
The medical insurance turned out to be a non-issue. I did get a waiver letter from an insurance company; but the official at Putrajaya didn't even want to take it. It seems they don't really require insurance for those over a certain age. (65 for sure, maybe even 60).
As to the "proof of income"/"FD option" debate... well, I was not asked about income at all. I did not use an agent, either for initial application ten years ago, or for the renewal. Not only did I save quite a bit of money; but I also may have avoided some misinformation.
It does take 14 days to process the application. When I applied the official was not satisfied with the bank's confirmation letter regarding the FD. I was given a sample letter, and had the bank model a new letter based on it. It basically needs to contain as much information as possible regarding the terms of the fixed deposit. e.g. rolling over every year with interest being paid to another account... etc...
So, based upon my experience, I would recommend the D.I.Y. route. My total cost for the two trips to K.L/Putrajaya - trains/taxis/hotel - was around RM 500. Agents charge how much? RM 5000? One lady I know paid RM 8000. It's a racket!

InVinoVeritas

It seems proof of income is not always required. I suspect it depends on the age of the renewer.

SushiFan

Good to hear that things went so smoothly for you. You mention that they did not actively ask for any proof of income. However, did you provide any insight to them about your income? Without them asking for it?

SushiFan

I hope they were able to manage the situation and got the renewal processed?

satumadu

No, I did not sense any psychic inquiry from them; nor did I exert any hypnotic power to impress them with my vast non-existent wealth. Or did you mean something like mentioning that "I hope this won't take too long because my Rolls is double-parked?".

InVinoVeritas

bakedbean

Yes they did. All went OK apparently.