6-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced new measures to be implemented at the country’s entry points following an alleged corruption incident towards a Chinese traveler at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). He stated that only senior officers of the Immigration Department with a grade of KP41 and above will have the authority to determine if a traveller should be imposed with a “Not to Land” (NTL) order. This is a change from current practice that allows junior officers with a grade of KP29 to decide.
Mr Saifuddin also announced that officers who can communicate in foreign languages, including Mandarin, English, Arabic and Tamil, will be stationed at help desks to aid travellers facing any language barriers. Another measure to be introduced is the installation of more signage informing travellers about the questions they will be asked as they approach the immigration counters.
Mr Saifuddin noted that from January to June this year, 592,490 tourists from China visited Malaysia, with an average of 300 NTL orders imposed on Chinese tourists. He added that the amount of NTL orders imposed is also experienced by other countries including Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia. As a result, he said that restrictions must be imposed for a reason.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke was asked to examine the handling of travellers who have been given an NTL order. Mr Saifuddin explained that Mono Circle, a private company appointed by the Airline Operators Company (AOC), has been handling the meals, drinks, and tickets of such travellers to depart from Malaysia since February 2015. However, Mr Saifuddin expressed concern that this practice causes confusion, as it may be mistaken as immigration officers asking for money.
The incident at KLIA occurred when a Malaysian minister allegedly attempted to “rescue” a female Chinese national who was denied entry into the country. The Chinese national alleged that although her travel documents were in order, she was denied entry by immigration officers and was asked to pay several thousand ringgit for entry. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has identified a “middleman” who allegedly demanded an administration fee of RM18,000 (US$3,900) via phone call for the woman to be allowed entry. The MACC is currently investigating the incident and immigration officers’ handling of foreign tourists at the country’s entry points.
