GEORGE TOWN – Tourists being told to leave the country would pose no issues for both Malaysia and the destination country if it had not been for the Covid-19 pandemic.
But now, there is a lot of hassle to go through because each destination country has its own set of travel restrictions and border controls which differ from country to country.
A tourist stranded in Langkawi, who declined to be identified, said she was fortunate to get flight tickets to an alternative destination where she might be allowed to transit while waiting for her country of residence to reopen its borders to its citizens, expatriates, or other foreign residents.
However, nothing is certain due to the constant changes in border status across the globe – and others who are not so fortunate might have trouble getting tickets to their country of residence.
Countries like Australia also have limits on the numbers of passengers coming into their airports from overseas. It’s a problem for couples with dual nationalities too.
“On one hand, we knew this amnesty could end anytime. We also knew that the movement control order (MCO) ended on March 31,” she told The Vibes.
“It would have been great if the government had announced in January that this was our last reprieve and that the authorities expected tourists to leave the country by April 21 (March 31, plus 14 working days). That would have given us three months’ time to prepare for departure without the need to overwhelm the Immigration Department for an extension.
“We should have been prepared to face the facts. I think that a longer deadline would have been welcomed.”
She highlighted that not all tourists stranded in Malaysia reside in their native country, and that countries of residence are only open to their own nationals and not permanent residents.
“So, what do you do if you have a business, and you own or rent a house in China? What do you do if you can fly back to your home country, but your spouse is blacklisted because they have a different nationality?
“We are living in exceedingly difficult times when people are suffering emotionally and mentally due to the Covid-19 bans and decrees that have torn families apart for over a year now.
“These include individuals separated from their spouses; parents from their children; young people about to get married; and families unable to attend the burial of their loved ones. How much more trauma can people take?” said the tourist.
We are living in exceedingly difficult times when people are suffering emotionally and mentally due to the Covid-19 bans and decrees that have torn families apart for over a year now. How much more trauma can people take?
Some tourists were also left disappointed as certain embassies did not offer much support when they had to scramble to make arrangements under extreme circumstances.
Those embassies remained silent, with some even refusing to give the support letter required by the authorities.
“For me, it has been a fabulous 14 months in Malaysia, and I enjoyed every moment of it – but that is because I am in a financially comfortable situation,” the tourist said.
“We managed to get our tickets, and we’re happy to leave. Malaysia is a beautiful country, filled with warm, smiling, and friendly people, we have made friends here, and we are sad to say goodbye.”
As of April 22, foreigners with an expired Social Visit Pass have to apply for a special pass to enable them to stay in Malaysia while waiting for a flight back to their country of origin.
They will have to set an appointment with the immigration office in person via the online appointment system.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud reportedly said that those who could not meet the conditions to obtain a special pass are urged to surrender themselves to the enforcement division at any immigration offices.
They will have to submit their return ticket within 30 days from the date of surrender and pay a compound based on the period of their overstay.
Langkawi Business Association deputy president Datuk Alexander Isaac has urged businesses on the island to inform their guests to take advantage of the leeway, and to report to the immigration department with their relevant documents.
“The Langkawi immigration has taken a kind stance and understands the problems faced by many of our visitors. There will be no further grace period,” said Isaac, reminding those who want to leave to first make their way to the immigration department so that they will not be detained, fined, or blacklisted.
“We are appreciative to the government of the more than one year period given to all the foreigners who stayed here. And we also thank them for the time extension given now,” he said. – The Vibes, April 24, 2021
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