Ministry Concerned Over High Number Of Chinese And Indian Tourists Who Have Not Left M'sia
"Immigration enforcement action will be taken against them."
By Liew Ashley — 04 Dec 2019, 05:19 PM
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) is concerned over the large number of Chinese and Indian tourists who have overstayed in the country
As reported by Free Malaysia Today yesterday, 3 December, the 2018 Auditor-General's Report stated that there was no exit records for more than 95% of Chinese and Indian tourists who visited Malaysia.
MOHA Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin said that the issue has been handed over to the Immigration Department for investigation.
"Immigration enforcement action will be taken against them," he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.
According to the audit report, 79,799 Chinese tourist arrived through the Malaysian Immigration System between 2016 and 2018
However, a total of 76,258 tourists have no exit records.
As for the Indian tourists, The Star reported that out of the 41,243 arrivals between 2017 and 2018, it was found that 39,806 of them have no record of exit dates.
However, Immigration Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said these figures were inaccurate
In Free Malaysia Today's report, Khairul clarified that the actual number of Chinese tourists who had not left was 18,341.
He attributed this discrepancy to the tourists using the Electronic Travel Registration & Information (eNTRI) system, a visa-free facility for visitors from China and India.
Due to eNTRI, problems arise in tracking the tourists exists, especially if they leave Malaysia using the normal system or the regular social visit pass.
Khairul said they would meet the National Audit Department to update the figures.
Immigration Department says 18,341 tourists from China have not left the country.
Image via Free Malaysia Today