PUTRAJAYA, July 5 — The issuing of ‘Not to Land’ (NTL) notices to travellers will only be determined by Immigration officers of Grade KP41 and above with immediate effect, compared to the current practice which allows KP29 officers to do so, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
At a press conference earlier today, he said this was part of a move to improve the Immigration Department’s management at the country’s entry points.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) will also work with Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB) to place more signages at the airport for the convenience of travellers, to prepare the relevant documentation for immigration purposes.
Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry will also provide a help desk by placing Immigration officers who can communicate in foreign languages to facilitate travellers.
“Officers who are able to communicate in languages such as Mandarin, Tamil, and Arabic to assist with entry and exit matters at international airports will be deployed there immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, today’s Cabinet meeting also requested the Ministry of Transport to look into the aspects and practices of a company appointed to manage foreign travellers issued with NTL notices.
According to the minister, the company appointed in February 2015 is responsible for managing the purchase of return tickets and meals for travellers who are issued with the notice.
“The Minister of Transport was asked to review this aspect of the appointment, on whether it is a normal practice to do so.
“Sometimes there can be confusion when a person subject to NTL is asked to provide a certain amount of money to purchase a return ticket, this can be mistaken as an immigration officer asking for money,” he said, adding the matter should be re-examined.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said 592,490 tourists from China had arrived in the country from January to June this year, and of the total, 423 were issued with NTL notices.
— Bernama
