Scrap MyTravelPass, it’s not relevant anymore: DAP MPs

KUALA LUMPUR – DAP MPs are urging the government to abolish the MyTravelPass (MTP) system, saying the scheme is no longer relevant.
 
Damansara MP Tony Pua said there should be a change in protocol as the Covid-19 situation has changed. 
 
“It has been 20 months since Covid-19 entered Malaysia, but the current protocol in place is still the same as the one on Day 1.  
 
“We know we used this scheme to ensure that Malaysia stayed safe from the coronavirus in the beginning. 
 
“The situation is not the same anymore now. Covid-19 is now within the community and there are more and more cases of the Delta variant,” he told a press conference at the Parliament building today.  
 
With him was Segambut’s Hannah Yeoh, Teo Nie Ching (Kulai) and Vivian Wong (Sandakan).  
 
Pua said those returning from overseas must undergo self-quarantine, in accordance with the standard operating procedures and “not bureaucratic procedures, which are in place now through the MTP application from the Immigration Department”.
 
Sharing his sentiments was Teo, who said that there are students who have sought her help to expedite the application process, but to no avail.  
 
“There are applicants who wish to go to the United Arab Emirates to work but their applications were not approved. They have received their offer letters but were unable to go. 
 
“We have also helped students write appeal letters to the Immigration Department but after a week, we still did not hear from them,” she said.  
 
Meanwhile, Yeoh said the nation’s economy will not recover if this travel scheme continues.  
 
“The application process takes more than two weeks to be approved. Two weeks is too long. I have many constituents coming to my office regarding this issue. 
 
“If we want the economy to recover, we can’t continue with this scheme because it takes a very long time. 
 
“I think this scheme is no longer relevant because it doesn’t prove anything as the majority of the people are fully vaccinated. I think it’s high time we do away with this programme,” she said.  
 
Yesterday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said that the implementation of the MTP is to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
 
In his winding-up speech speech in the Dewan Rakyat, the Larut MP said the mechanism introduced in October last year has succeeded in curbing cross-border virus transmissions. 
 
“This is evident when only 4,769 positive imported cases of Covid-19 or 0.22% were recorded by the Health Ministry from the total number of positive cases in Malaysia, which is 2,127,934 cases,” he said.  
 
He added that his ministry, through the Immigration Department, is reviewing the conditions of the MTP scheme, which will be tabled at the next National Security Council meeting. – The Vibes, September 23, 2021