VLP would not jeopardise national security

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail assured federal lawmakers that the visa liberalisation plan (VLP) that has been implemented would not jeopardise the security of this nation and Malaysians.

“While we want people to come, we would not compromise on the security aspect. It is compulsory for people coming here to get their Malaysian Digital Arrival Card so that we know their whereabouts. We have also tightened border security and identified 224 hotspots of foreigners here.

He said this during the oral reply session in Dewan Rakyat.

He also refuted claims by Datuk Seri Nik Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Puteh) who wanted an assurance that the VLP would not pose a security threat since there are 6 million migrants in Malaysia. Nik Zawawi quoted a Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) study by Nixon.

“I have checked with KRI. Nixon doesn’t exist.”

Responding to a supplementary question regarding undocumented migrants conducting business in Malaysia Saifuddin said the issue is being stemmed with two methods.

“Since January to date, we have conducted 7,975 raid operations and inspected 76,477 migrants. We found 20,207 of them undocumented. We bring them to immigration depot and inform the embassies, request travel documents and send them back.

“We have 19 depots which can accommodate 13,000. We also detained 456 employers who bring them in employ them.”

The other approach that is being employed is urging migrants to surrender for repatriation.

“A total of 79,231 surrendered. Of that, 68,900 were compounded almost RM40,000. Four countries with highest repatriation are Indonesia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.”

VLP boosted tourist arrivals

Saifuddin also responded to an another supplementary question from Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) who asked on the impact of VLP.

“In Southeast Asia, most tourists come from Singapore and Thailand. Beyond Southeast Asia, most visitors come from China and India.

“Based on data from Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, 40 million visited Malaysia since Jan 1, 2023 until April this year. From this figure, 30 million arrived via Johor and KLIA.

“A total of 950,000 Chinese tourists and 443,000 Indian tourists have come here.”

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