GEORGE TOWN – A notice from several foreign missions in Malaysia telling their nationals stranded in the country since the first movement control order (MCO) was imposed in March last year to leave by April 21 came as a shock to many in Langkawi.
The deadline is based on the grace period granted by Putrajaya to foreigners whose social visit passes expired in 2020, but were unable to leave due to the movement curbs enforced to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Most of the long-stay guests in Langkawi have made trips to Thailand to renew their visas when needed.
Oli Khalid, who owns a restaurant along Pantai Cenang, told The Vibes that his foreign customers were distraught when the notice was issued, as many already have commitments on the island.
“A Belgian lady, who wants to be known only as Jeanie, is taking care of British national Edward Snowdon, who has terminal brain cancer and is staying in Langkawi under the Malaysia My Second Home programme.
“She is asking for an extension of two to three months, so that she can look after him until he passes away.
“Why? Because the nurses at the hospital in Langkawi don’t want to clean up after him.
“He was sent to a hospital in Penang for treatment, but the hospital said he is in his last few months, and there is nothing to be done. He was told to go home.
“Now, Jeanie is the only one helping his wife with palliative care. If Jeanie has to leave, no one can help care for him. He can’t even recognise his wife.”
An American, who wanted to be identified only as Carol, has been trying to leave Langkawi for Thailand to visit her family since the MCO was imposed, but virus restrictions prevented her from doing so.
She finally bought a flight ticket to return home early next month, but shortly after the purchase, the notice for foreigners to leave within a week was issued.
Carol now needs to apply for a special pass to take the flight in May.
“There were many of these long-stay tourists, who are economic helpers, in Langkawi during the MCO,” said Oli.
“They rent homes, patronise restaurants and supermarkets, and use hired-car services.
“They travel around the region, and some have not been back to their home country in years.
“They were forced to leave within a week and sell off whatever they have here. They don’t even know where to go.”
He said the notice for foreign visitors to leave is not an issue in itself, but they should have been given more time to prepare.
A 30-day extension would suffice, he said.
“These tourists have been in Langkawi because Defence Minister (Datuk Seri) Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said that ‘as long as the MCO is in force, nobody has to leave’.
“Plus, are there enough flights to accommodate all the tourists leaving Malaysia in a hurry?”
At the end of the day, he said, the biggest loser is the tourism industry.
“What happens when all of them (tourists) leave?” – The Vibes, April 23, 2021
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