Malaysia temporarily allows foreign tourists to fill digital arrival card at checkpoints

 

SEPANG: Foreign tourists will be required to fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) three days before their arrival beginning Dec 1, however for the time being, they will be able to do so at the country's entry checkpoints, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

"This (relaxation) is to allow adapting to the new requirement," he explained, adding that MDAC is part of the primary initiative to improve immigration facilities following the implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Plan (PLV), which exempts Chinese and Indian tourists from visa requirements for 30 days beginning Dec 1.

He said that the ministry adopted MDAC in order to ensure national security was not compromised during the implementation of visa liberalisation intended to stimulate economic development, particularly in the tourism industry.

Saifuddin said that after Dec 31, it would be compulsory for foreign tourists to fill up the MDAC ahead of time as it would contain all the necessary information on their whereabouts in the country.

"Come Jan 1, filling in the digital arrival card is a must as all the details given will provide us with important information such as their address of where they are staying.

"This is an important step for us to know about their whereabouts while they are here," he said at a press conference after conducting a visit to the Immigration Department counters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Terminal 1, here.

Fourteen newly-established counters will help to cut airport lineups, raising the total number of immigration inspection counters to 60, and will be operating around the clock.

Saifuddin also said that the use of MDAC was in line with the implementation of the visa liberalisation plan, which serves as a prelude to the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 programme.

"What we are doing is the visa liberalisation plan, which aims to improve the tourism sector by making the visa process less complicated for travellers.

"MDAC implementation then becomes a control element, allowing us to track their movements around the country.

The MDAC is part of the five main initiatives to improve the Immigration Department services, and is in line with the implementation of the visa liberalisation plan, which exempts a 30-day visa for tourists from China and India.

According to the Immigration Department, people transiting through Singapore, persons with Permanent Resident (PR) status, and holders of the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) card are excluded from the new regulation, which went into force last Friday.

The 30-day visa exemption for tourists from China and India covers the period from Dec 1 to Dec 31 next year, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last Tuesday.

Currently, Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, and Iran, as well as all West Asian countries, including Turkey and Jordan, enjoy visa exemption facilities.

-nst online.

Buka semua kaunter Imigresen di lapangan terbang – MOTAC

 

TIONG King Sing mengadakan tinjauan ke KLIA, Sepang. - GAMBAR IHSAN MOTAC

PUTRAJAYA: Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (MOTAC) mahu semua 40 kaunter imigresen di lapangan terbang antarabangsa dibuka bagi melancarkan aliran tinggi kemasukan pelancong ketika ini.

Menterinya, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing berkata, pihaknya juga mahu Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) menambah laluan pemeriksaan Imigresen di lapangan terbang antarabangsa itu.

Beliau berkata, bilangan laluan pemeriksaan Imigresen di lapangan terbang antarabangsa perlu ditambah kepada enam berbanding empat ketika ini.

“Pada masa ini terdapat 40 kaunter imigresen tetapi hanya 20 kaunter yang dibuka. Jika ia dapat dibuka, ia pasti dapat memendekkan proses pemeriksaan imigresen untuk jumlah penumpang yang ramai.

“Berdasarkan tinjauan baru-baru ini, empat saluran sedia ada tidak mencukupi bagi melengkapkan prosedur pelepasan imigresen dengan kecekapan tinggi dan masa yang singkat,” katanya menerusi kenyataan akhbar hari ini.

Katanya, pihaknya menerima aduan daripada penumpang berhubung proses pelepasan imigresen yang mengambil masa lebih satu jam untuk diselesaikan.

King Sing berkata, beliau juga dimaklumkan, ada penumpang yang mengadu mereka terkandas di lapangan terbang selama tiga jam.

Menurutnya, antara punca utama isu itu adalah sistem sedia ada yang tidak dikemas kini dan ketinggalan zaman justeru, ia perlu ditambah baik segera demi kelancaran di lapangan terbang antarabangsa.

“Saya juga menyeru kepada jabatan dan agensi berkaitan untuk mencari penyelesaian penambahbaikan dan berusaha memendekkan masa ketika proses pemeriksaan ini.

“Kita harus sedar sektor pelancongan adalah kunci kepada pemulihan ekonomi negara dan lapangan terbang adalah lokasi ‘first impression’ yang akan dilalui oleh pelancong apabila mereka tiba di negara ini,” katanya.

Selain itu, beliau difahamkan, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (Malaysia Airports) bersetuju untuk menambah tiga bahasa lain pada sistem digital di lapangan terbang iaitu bahasa Cina, Melayu dan Inggeris.

Menurutnya, Pengarah Urusan Malaysia Airports, Datuk Iskandar Mizal turut mempertimbang menambah terjemahan bahasa Arab dalam masa terdekat bagi memastikan maklumat disampaikan lebih tepat dan difahami pelancong asing.

-utusan online.

Malaysia to assign Mandarin-speaking officers at airports to welcome tourists from China after three years

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 — Keen to welcome back travellers from China, its top trading partner after three years, Putrajaya will station Mandarin-speaking officers at international airports nationwide to smoothen their arrival process.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the measures will be taken in anticipation of incoming Chinese tourists who are not well-versed in English or Malay even as Beijing opened its borders for overseas travel today and despite the health authorities apprehension of a new Covid-19 surge.

“The ministry will coordinate this international effort with international airport management nationwide and the Customs Department.

“This will ensure everything is prepared at the country's entry points, and in turn, further ease the entry process for travelers coming from China,” Tiong said on his Facebook page in Malay.

He said his ministry has proposed several measures to make the arrival process more efficient for travellers from China.

“Now, a large number of tourists from China are expected to enter our country for tourism.

“To better receive and welcome the arrival of Chinese tourists, MOTAC recommends easier entry points in international airports.

“Besides speeding up the process at the customs inspection without affecting travelers from other countries, this step can also highlight Malaysia's friendly nature in welcoming travelers from China,” he said.

MOTAC is the acronym for Tiong’s ministry.

He added that the health and safety of travellers from China is also a priority following Malaysia's move to tighten its health standard operating procedures to prevent a resurgence in Covid cases as global health experts warn of new emerging variants.

-malay mail.

Maljis Penghargaan Stakeholder KLIA & KLIA2 dan petugas Langkawi International Travel Bubble (LITB)

 

Tourism Malaysia melalui Bahagian Promosi Antarabangsa Asia Afrika selaku Ketua 'Helpdesk Task Force Travel Bubble Langkawi' telah menganjurkan majlis Penghargaan dan Networking lunch bersama Stakeholder KLIA dan KLIA2 serta petugas LITB di Sama-Sama Hotel KLIA pada 15 Nov 2022.

Program ini diadakan untuk menghargai Stakeholder KLIA dan KLIA2 serta 35 petugas LITB yang terdiri dari Pegawai Pelancongan dan Pegawai Penyelidik Tourism Malaysia yang telah membantu melancarkan program ini bermula 15 November 2021 hingga 31 Mac 2022.   

Y.Bhg Dato' Ketua Pengarah telah menyampaikan plak penghargaan dan sijil kepada 10 Stakeholder KLIA da KLIA2 yang terdiri daripada:-

> Jabatan Imigresen KLIA 

> Jabatan Imigresen KLIA2

> Airport Relations Malaysia Airport (Sepang) Sdn Bhd

> Airlines Operator Committee

> Airport Aviation Services (AVSEC)

> Terminal Operations KLIA, Malaysia Airport (Sepang) Sdn Bhd

> Terminal Operations KLIA2, Malaysia Airport (Sepang) Sdn Bhd

> BP Healthcare Centre

> Malaysia Airlines

> AERO Darat

-Tourism Malaysia.

Sarawak sasar 200 ribu pelancong Brunei dalam tempoh lima bulan

 

MIRI: Kementerian Pelancongan, Industri Kreatif dan Seni Persembahan Sarawak menyasarkan sebanyak 200,000 pelancong Brunei memasuki Sarawak dalam tempoh lima bulan.

Tempoh tersebut diambil kira mulai pembukaan sempadannya pada hari ini (1 Ogos) hingga ke penghujung tahun ini.

Timbalan Menteri Pelancongan, Industri Kreatif dan Seni Persembahan, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew berkata, beliau yakin dengan sasaran kemasukan pelancong Brunei yang masuk ke Sarawak kerana ramai pelancong Brunei mempunyai urusan di Sarawak.

“Pembukaan sempadan ini sudah semestinya akan memberikan banyak manfaat kepada Sarawak dari segi pelancongan mahupun kegiatan ekonomi antara dua buah negara.

“Malah ada juga warganegara Brunei yang mempunyai sanak-saudara di Sarawak menjadikan mereka ingin melakukan perjalanan kunjung berkunjung selepas dua tahun tidak berjumpa,” katanya ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Tambahnya lagi, warganegara Malaysia yang telah lama menetap di negara Brunei Darussalam ingin pulang ke tanah air turut menyumbang kepada kemasukan ke negeri Sarawak.

“Sebelum pandemik Covid-19 (2018 hingga 2019), Sarawak telah mencapai lebih 1 juta pelancong Brunei yang keluar dan masuk di sempadan itu.

“Justeru, bagi melihat kerancakan ini, kita di kementerian akan turut merancang aktiviti pelancongan tahunan yang berpotensi untuk menarik pelancong domestik mahupun antarabangsa,” ujarnya.

Bagaimanapun, beliau menggesa agar pelancong asing mahupun warga tempatan yang masuk dan keluar melalui sempadan untuk mengambil langkah berjaga-jaga dan terus mematui prosedur operasi standard (SOP) yang telah ditetapkan agar wabak Covid-19 tidak menular dan menjejaskan ekonomi negara.

-utusan online.

Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal opens

 

Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, the final component of the phase one development of Desaru Coast Destination Resorts in Malaysia is now completed.

It is equipped with a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex and maritime facilities, as well as the latest bidirectional immigration automated e-gate. The new generation e-gate offers a double swing door and enhanced security features, making immigration screening more efficient and effective at peak travel times.

The ferry terminal is able to process 300 passengers at any given time, and it intends to serve two round trips from Singapore on Thursdays to Sundays, and one round trip on Monday to Wednesday based on market demand.

Earlier in March, Desaru Coast Destination Resorts appointed Desaru Link Ferry Services to operate passenger ferry services connecting Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal with Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal.

Speaking at its officiating ceremony on March 31, Amran Hafiz Affifudin, chairman of Desaru Development Holdings One, said: “As a long-term developer, entrusted to play a central role in the tourism landscape of Johor, it has been our commitment and responsibility to bring value to the community and state. While we developed the ferry terminal as a connectivity and catalytic component for Desaru Coast to realise its full potential as an international destination, it is our hope that it will foster wider benefits for the state of Johor. In establishing this international gateway as the 16th entry point into Malaysia, we hope to spur and multiply the socio-economic development for the state and subsequently the country.”

With the completion of the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, the destination is ready to execute its strategic and commercial plans in its next phase of business growth.

Roslina Arbak, managing director and CEO of Desaru Development Holdings One, said the ferry terminal is a “game-changer”, enabling the destination to “unlock new market and business opportunities”.

She expects the improved connectivity to boost Desaru’s ability to capture business events and attract “like-minded investors who wish to leverage the infrastructure and facilities we have put in place to further enhance destination offerings and ensure the success of all players at Desaru Coast”.

-TTG Asia.

Easier entry for visitors to Malaysia

 

Malaysia has relaxed her entry procedures for boosted travellers and will soon do away with temperature checks when entering premises as the country prepares to move into the endemic stage of Covid-19.

From January 24, 2022, the quarantine period for travellers that have received vaccination booster shots will be five days instead of seven. They will need to undergo Covid-19 polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) test two days prior to departure to Malaysia, upon arrival and on the fourth day of quarantine. They can opt for a rapid test kit (RTK) on the fifth day, with supervision by health officers, should they choose to forego the PCR test on the fourth day of quarantine. A negative result on either the final PCR or RTK test will allow the traveller to exit isolation.

Vaccinated travellers who have yet to receive a booster shot will need to serve a seven-day quarantine, while those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated will need to serve 10 days.

Arrivals from abroad will be given a digital Home Surveillance Order and will not need to wear the usual surveillance bracelets. However, travellers from high-risk countries will need to have their surveillance bracelets on.

Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the ministry has accepted a proposal to remove temperature checks from the Covid-19 standard operating procedures. He added that soon, individuals will only need to check in via MySejahtera app upon entering public premises. However, they will still be required to show their vaccination certificates before entering shops and restaurants.

-TTG Asia.

Gelembung Pelancongan Antarabangsa Langkawi - Terkini Bertarikh 2 Disember 2021

 

Infografik berhubung gelembung pelancongan antarabangsa Langkawi, kemasukan pengembara ke Malaysia dan sekatan perjalanan dari 8 negara 

Sumber: Kenyataaan Akhbar Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia bertarikh 3 Disember 2021

-MOTAC.

Government to look into tightening border controls

 

SHAH ALAM: The government will scrutinise its decision whether to tighten border controls, including on the entry of foreign tourists under the tourism bubble.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said several preventive measures and solutions are being considered, following concerns over the spread of the new Covid-19 variant; Omicron.

He stressed that the government will also refine the current standard operating procedures (SOP), especially with quarantine guidelines involving tourists from high-risk countries.

I will discuss the matter with DG (Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah). There are several options for us to consider including tightening national border controls.

"So far, there is no decision yet. Let us discuss first, and not only on the tourism bubble in Langkawi, but also the quarantine procedures.

"We have to scrutinise quarantine procedures, whether in hotels or at homes, especially involving countries categorised as high risk," he told a press conference after the National Institute of Health (NIH)-Health Ministry Covid-19 Frontliners Appreciation Ceremony here today.

Present were Dr Noor Hisham and deputy health director-general (Research and Technical Support) Datuk Dr Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim.

Khairy said negotiations on Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTLs) with several countries such as Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia would continue.

"But, it will include the implementation of appropriate preventive measures due to the risk of transmission of other variants."

Asked whether a Movement Control Order (MCO) would be implemented, should Omicron being detected in Malaysia, he said; "It is too early to mention about MCO. The people will be angry because there are many things that we do not know yet."

-nst online.

KLIA pilots facial recognition technology

Select visitors to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will now be able to take advantage of its Single Token Journey concept which leverages facial recognition technology to provide passengers with a single identification verification at all airport touchpoints, from check-in to the boarding gate.

Launched by Malaysia Airports (MAHB), in collaboration with Malaysia Airlines and IT firm SITA, the concept is part of the Airports 4.0 initiative that aims to transform KLIA into a smart airport through the use of big data analytics. During the three-month pilot period, passengers on two daily Malaysia Airlines flights to Narita International Airport, Tokyo and Kansai International Airport, Osaka will get to enjoy this convenience.

Facial recognition scanners have been installed at check-in counters H5 to H8, while e-gates have been placed at the security screening touchpoints and boarding gates.

Passengers on these flights will only need to scan their faces to verify their “token” at all the touchpoints. They no longer need to present their passports or boarding passes when going through these checkpoints.

Malaysia Aviation Group CEO Izham Ismail said that the new concept will allow passengers to enjoy reduced check-in time as well as manage the queue at the airport’s check-in counters, especially during peak periods. The company hopes to fully adopt this system by 4Q2020, he added.

-TTG Asia.

Extended visa exemption for Chinese, Indians a boon for M’sian travel agents

Friendly visa policies will help the destination better compete against neighbours, agents say

Malaysia has again extended the temporary 15-day visa exemption for tourists from China and India to the end of 2019.

Agents handling these markets welcomed the continuation of the exemption, most recently planned to cease on December 31, 2018, saying it would help Malaysia compete better with Thailand and Indonesia – the former offers visa on arrival while the latter offers visa exemption to Chinese and Indian tourists.

K Thangavelu, president of the Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association (MITTA) as well as Grandlotus Travel Agencies managing director, said: “There is plenty of direct air connectivity from China and India to Malaysia. Airfares are also very competitive on these routes.

“The continuation of the 15-day visa exemption, which has been extended on a year-to-year basis from October 1, 2015 for Chinese tourists, and from April 1, 2017 for Indian tourists, is a good move by the new government because the hassle of getting a visa has always been a hindrance to travel. If the Malaysian government doesn’t offer this, we may lose both these big markets to neighbouring Indonesia and Thailand.”

Uzaidi Udanis, president, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, said the extension of the visa exemption was timely in view of the upcoming Chinese New Year period, which is also a peak travel period for Chinese tourists.

He said: “I was in Hunan recently and our trade counterparts there were concerned whether the exemption would be continued. It is good that the government is announcing this (ahead of the peak season) as this is a selling point for Chinese tourists who have yet to decide on which medium-haul destination to choose.

“On our part, we are helping boost awareness on Malaysia in China by organising the Malaysia-China Spring Festival Carnival in Kuala Lumpur on February 16 to showcase the Malaysian Chinese culture and heritage. Hunan TV will broadcast this event to their viewers in China. We hope this activity will also help to create more interest in Malaysia and in turn, encourage more Chinese tourists to Malaysia.”

Bobby Eng, general manager, Sunflower Holidays, shared that the extension of the visa exemption will help him sell Malaysia to corporate incentive or meeting planners.

“In the past, the process of obtaining a visa took about five working days. It was a hassle especially for organisers who had to coordinate with participants from different parts of the country. Now individuals planning to travel to Malaysia can register online for the 15-day visa exemption – the approval is fast and the system is user friendly,” Eng remarked.

-TTG Asia.

Tourism Tax proceeds to be channelled back to tourism industry: Customs

Customs director-general Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy said the revenue collected will be channelled back to the tourism industry, especially to fund tourism promotion efforts.

Pic by NSTP/AHMAD IRHAM MOHD NOOR

PUTRAJAYA: Proceeds from the Tourism Tax, which comes into effect on Sept 1, will not go into the government’s coffers.

Customs director-general Datuk Seri Subromaniam Tholasy said the revenue collected will be channelled back to the tourism industry, especially to fund tourism promotion efforts.

"When there are more promotions, more international tourists will visit Malaysia. This has been explained extensively by (Tourism and Culture) Minister Datuk Seri Nazri (Aziz).

"The ones (who will be most affected will be) foreign tourists, (not) us. (But) how much is RM10 a head in pound sterling or the US dollar? It's a very small sum,” he said after a pre-launch of a Customs charity ride here today.

Subromaniam also urged accommodations operators to register for the tax before the deadline of Aug 31.

He revealed that only 4,000 operators have come forward to register for the tax so far.

"There are a minimum of 10,000 unregistered premises, but the ministry has not given us proper data on the numbers.

"But based on the law, anyone with five rooms or more is (applicable for the) tax, despite their star rating," said Subromaniam.

He added that the department will abstain from imposing punitive measures against operators who do not register, for the time being – but he stressed that the "friendly" approach has its limits.

"If there are issues, they can come to us and discuss. They can also register faster and more easily online,” he said, adding that the Department has also launched a “hand-holding programme” to walk operators through the system.

Subromaniam said that AirBnB has also, in principle, agreed to the tax and that the department will be speaking with its representatives on Aug 28 to iron out technical issues with the app-based service provider.

The announcement of the government's plan to introduce the Tourism Tax several months ago was poorly received by hotel operators as well as a number of state governments.

They claimed that the tax would diminish business for hotels and local tourism.

-nst online.

Tourism Malaysia helping with passenger jams at airports

Tourism Malaysia will help to resolve delays faced by passengers passing

Immigration checkpoints at local airports, said chairman Datuk Dr Siew Ka Wei.

— Picture by Zuraneeza Zulkifli

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Tourism Malaysia is working to help resolve delays to passengers passing Immigration checkpoints at local airports, said chairman Datuk Dr Siew Ka Wei.

Acknowledging reports of such congestion being shared online, Siew said Tourism Malaysia has already reached out to the Immigration Department on the matter.

Addressing the matter now was vital to ensure that it will not be an issue during the coming SEA Games that will also coincide with local festivities, he added.

“Tourists usually get a first glimpse of a country at the airport. The first impression there counts and will affect the rest of their holiday and time spent in our country,” Siew said in a statement today.

“Let’s work together to provide a smooth welcome at their arrival by ensuring a hassle-free entry at the airport and immigration counters.”

Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali was already working with airport officials to ensure the smooth processing of passengers, Siew said when expressing confidence that the issue would be swiftly resolved.

-malaymail online.

Senai International Airport Upgrade 80 Percent Completed

JOHOR BAHRU, July 6 (Bernama) -- The RM7-million upgrading works on the Senai International Airport (LTAS) which began last October are expected to be completed by the end of August this year.

Chairman of the Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the upgrading works would focus mainly on security aspects and the convenience of the users whose numbers were increasing each year.



He added that to date, the upgrading works were 80 percent completed.

"This is to meet the requirements of the regulation to separate domestic and international passengers during departure and arrival. This is because the airport does not currently separate domestic and international passengers and does not meet safety standards.

"The upgrading works are necessary to meet the increase in the number of passengers resulting from new destinations and increased frequency of flights over the last few years," Tee told reporters after a working visit to the LTAS here today.

The airport currently provides flight services to 11 domestic and five international destinations, with 610 flights each week.

He added that for the second quarter of this year, the number of tourists showed a positive development with 1.54 million people, an increase of 9.5 percent compared to 1.36 million for the same period last year.

He said this figure is expected to increase with the possible introduction of more international destinations.

"I am confident that with the upgrading, the landscape of the tourism industry in Johor will be at a positive level, and I encourage industry players, especially tour agents to transform their businesses," he said.

-bernama.

More tourists from China since visa-waiver programme introduced

BEIJING: There has been an increase in Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia since the introduction of the visa-waiver programme.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said since the programme was launched in March last year, the number of entry passes issued for Chinese tourists had increase by 74%, compared with the same period in 2015.

Last year, a total of 2.2 million passes were issued for those who applied via visa, e-visa and the Electronic Travel Registration and Information (Entri) services, compared to 1.2 million visas in 2015.

Under the visa-waiver Entri programme, a tourist is allowed to stay in Malaysia for a maximum of 15 days.

On tourist arrivals, about 1.7 million Chinese tourists including those residing outside of China, visited Malaysia in 2015. They spent some RM5.7bil, or an average of RM500 per day, during their stay.

"This is one big contribution to the country's economy," Dr Ahmad Zahid told Malaysian reporters here on Wednesday morning.

This was one of the topics of discussion between Dr Ahmad Zahid and China's State Counsellor and Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun at a meeting on Tuesday night.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, is on a six-day working visit to China, beginning Tuesday, at Guo's invitation.

He will also meet with other officials on issues related to security, crime and prison affairs.

-thestar online.

Sarawak to woo more tourists

KUCHING: The Sarawak government will issue a special entry pass for tourists on chartered flights to the state via Miri or Sungai Tujuh checkpoints.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the entry pass would replace the visa-on-arrival for tourists from China and India based on the state’s autonomy on immigration matters.

The special entry pass, with a validity period of 120 hours and which can be extended, will take effect immediately.

“Sarawak is aggressively promoting tourism to the Chinese market. The state is also collaborating with Brunei to bring in tourists from China but is faced with a problem that our northern entry points are not gazetted to issue visa-on-arrival,” he said.

Abang Johari, who is also the state’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, said it would not be an issue for the state capital because the Kuching International Airport entry point is allowed to issue visa-on-arrival to tourists from China and India.

He said the state government introduced the special pass because Sarawak would be receiving 10 chartered flights from Hubei province, China, between next month and February next year.

“If the response is encouraging, the promotion will be continued as scheduled charters,” he added.

Abang Johari said the pass would only be issued for organised tours and not for independent travellers, so that movement of these tourists could be monitored.

The special entry pass would also allow Chinese tourists in Brunei to visit Sarawak, he said, adding that Brunei was an important tourism hub for the state due to connecting flights between Bandar Seri Begawan and Shanghai.

According to Tourism Malaysia, from January to November last year, 1.5 million tourists from China spent an average of RM3,335 per person, which amounted to RM5bil.

“In support of our efforts to attract more tourists to the state, all CIQs (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexes) in Sarawak should have the authority to issue entry passes to Chinese tourists to the state, especially via Brunei,” he said.

Abang Johari said the state government was seeking the Federal Government’s cooperation on the matter. His ministry has written to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and was waiting for a reply.

Section 5 of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) provides the power to the minister, by way of gazette notification, to approve routes and declare immigration control posts, landing places, airports or points of entry which the minister thinks necessary.

Abang Johari said the director of Immigration Sarawak has the authority to issue the pass under Part VII of the Immigration Act, 1959/63.

As of end of September, Sarawak received 28,000 tourists from China, an increase of 10% compared to the whole of last year.

-thestar online.