Bersatu leader objects to removing address condition for tourists

Not requiring tourists from China and India to provide their accommodation addresses would make it difficult to crack down on overstayers, said Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

The Bersatu Youth chief in a statement cited a reported figure of 1.2 million Chinese nationals who entered Malaysia but did not leave, accusing them of illicit activities and social ills.

“Bersatu Youth demands a justification from the Home Ministry, particularly its minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, to explain the situation.

“We stress that while there is a need to promote tourism, at the same time, existing strict conditions enforced by the Immigration Department must be retained to ensure the safety and social harmony of Malaysians,” he said.

Wan Fayhsal was responding to a purportedly leaked Immigration Department internal memo that removed the need for tourists from China and India to provide an address for accommodation throughout their stay here.

Previously, Immigration Department director-general Ruslin Jusoh said security checks, such as recording and verifying the biometrics of foreign tourists, including those from China and India, are still in effect at all entry points in the country.

He said all travellers entering Malaysia must still comply with the Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) and that the system records the whereabouts of visitors.

This allows the Immigration Department to trace their location if needed, especially for enforcement purposes, he added.

MDAC is one of five main initiatives to improve Immigration Department services, in line with the Visa Liberalisation Plan, which grants 30-day visa exemption for tourists from China and India starting Dec 1 last year. - Mkini