KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 — The Home Ministry (KDN) and the Immigration Department have been summoned to explain the factors contributing to overstaying by foreign tourists and measures to tackle the issue.
The Special Select Committee on Security’s chairman Datuk Jonathan Yasin, who is investigating the issue of overstaying by foreign tourists in Malaysia, said representatives from the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (Motac) have also been called.
They have been requested to brief the committee on the procedures and monitoring of the activities of unregistered tourism agents that might lead to the overstaying issue.
“The committee views the overstaying issue by foreign tourists as something that cannot be ignored. Their presence, which cannot be traced or monitored, raises questions about their activities, potentially disrupting society’s security and harmony,” he said in a statement today.
“In addition to addressing concerns related to the issue, this proceeding has also provided an opportunity for the committee to review the procedures carried out by the Immigration Department at the entry points into the country, as well as by Motac to control the activities of unregistered tourism agents.
“They bring tourists into Malaysia and also contribute to the number of tourists overstaying in the country,” Jonathan said, adding the committee is committed to playing a role as a checks and balances mechanism to the executive body.
— Bernama
