Malaysia plans new visa system for Indian, Chinese tourists

by P. S. Suryanarayana

Malaysia is planning to introduce a Visa Facilitation System (VFS) for tourists from India and China. This follows a decision to revoke the Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme for visitors to Malaysia from several countries. The VOA scheme was discontinued in respect of Indian nationals in 2008.

The reason cited by the authorities, including Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, was that thousands among those who arrived from India under the VOA scheme later went “missing.” Chennai was identified as the embarkation point.

The VFS “pilot project,” to be implemented by commissioning travel agencies with branches in select countries, would be an “alternative” to the VOA scheme, according to Malaysian Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen.

For a start, the services of a Hong Kong-based travel agency would be utilised for the VFS pilot project in India, said Dr. Ng.

She was also quoted by Malaysia's national news agency as saying that the project would thereafter be extended to China by the end of the month. Details are not immediately available.

The latest decision not to revive the issuance of visas on arrival was announced on Monday by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants.

“In the past, we [showed] flexibility … [But] we notice that this VOA was being abused… We [now] agreed that VOA be revoked or discontinued,” Mr. Muhyiddin said.