The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) has urged the Immigration Department of Malaysia to take strict enforcement action against tourists who overstay their permitted period in the country.
Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing emphasised that ensuring the number of tourists entering Malaysia equals those leaving is essential for proper management of the sector. His remarks came in response to Senator Husin Ismail, who highlighted the issue of visitors failing to depart and suggested holding tourism agents accountable.
Tiong noted that the problem has been raised repeatedly and pointed out that tourists enter Malaysia not only via agents but also independently from various countries. MOTAC has requested several foreign embassies, including China’s, to provide lists of tourists who have overstayed. “The embassies will conduct investigations, while the Immigration Department will compile the list of overstaying tourists, and MOTAC will identify the agents involved so that action can be taken,” he said during the Dewan Negara winding-up session.
In related discussions, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah confirmed that immigration autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak will continue, in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution. He clarified that the new Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) will not affect the autonomous powers of the Borneo territories. “Under Section 6(3) of Act 860, it is compulsory for the AKPS to comply with all instructions issued by Sabah and Sarawak authorities regarding the control of individuals at entry points,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Mohamad Alamin outlined measures to accelerate financing approval for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the ministry’s ‘ABCD’ strategy. Tekun Nasional has reduced fund approval from 10 days to five working days, SME Corp shortened access from 21 to seven days, and SME Bank halved working capital approval from 30 to 15 days. Bank Rakyat expedited MSME financing from 30 to 14 days, while Ar-Rahnu transactions now take just 10 minutes instead of 40.
Other ministries concluding their winding-up debates included Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Transport, Agriculture and Food Security, and the Digital Ministry, covering updates on policies and initiatives across their sectors.
