PUTRAJAYA: The government will take firm action against any foreign tourist found misusing a social visit pass to conduct business or engage in employment activities in Malaysia.
Unity Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet had decided today to issue a warning to tourists who use the pass for purposes beyond what is permitted.
“We have been informed of several cases involving the misuse of the Social Visit Pass for work or business activities. Therefore, the cabinet has issued a stern reminder and warning that holders of such passes are strictly prohibited from working or conducting business in Malaysia. Enforcement action will be taken against anyone found to have violated immigration laws relating to the use of the Social Visit Pass,” he said.
Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said this during his weekly post-cabinet press conference here today.
Media outlets have previously reported several incidents involving tourists or individuals entering Malaysia on social visit passes before engaging in income-generating activities.
In August, a Thai woman was detained by the Immigration Department for allegedly misusing her social visit pass to work illegally.
The 25-year-old suspect, who arrived from Bangkok, was reported to have earned about RM100 in commission before being arrested during an operation across 13 locations in Ipoh.
Meanwhile, in February, a fisherman claiming to be from Pattani, Thailand, was detained for working as a boat repairman at a jetty in Kelantan after allegedly entering the country using a social visit pass.
The 43-year-old man said he had entered Malaysia with a 39-year-old companion who had been hired by their employer to repair fishing boats at Kampung Pak Mayong Jetty. Both men were subsequently arrested by the Immigration Department.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
