Friday November 6, 2009
VOA policy to stay, says Abu Seman
THE Government has no plans to stop issuing visas on arrival (VOA) to tourists as it was created to boost the tourism industry, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop yesterday.
Through the visa, he said, visitors were allowed to be in the country from 14 days to three months.
Replying to a question from Aziz Ab Kadir (Ketereh - PKR) he said the VOA policy would remain despite the fact that the bulk of visitors who overstayed had been issued this type of entry permit.
“According to statistics from 2006 to August 2009, a total of 28% of those issued VOA or 75,462 people had overstayed,” he said, prompting Abd Aziz to question the Government’s priorities when it came to safeguarding the security of the country.
“What is the Government’s stand? It seems like the Government places more importance on the income derived from tourism,” Abd Aziz said.
Abu Seman explained that the Government had already taken steps to safeguard the country’s security.
“We have excluded visitors from a few countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and also India from the VOA ruling as they made up the biggest number of those who regularly overstay,” he said.
News Poll
- Transsexual staring at big change over 'wrong' photo
- Good Samaritan turns out to be an evil rapist
- Billions siphoned - Sarawak govt steps in
- Retiree drives himself to death
- Fraudsters cash bail money with forged papers
- Birthday bash turns tragic
- WHO: More women getting HIV from their husbands
- Former boxer found dead in car
- BTN courses inculcate sense of patriotism, says BN leaders
- Perak MB slams Nik Aziz over call for demise prayer
- Billions siphoned - Sarawak govt steps in
- Mass retrenchment fears in Sarawak Shell
- Transsexual staring at big change over 'wrong' photo
- Most developing countries trust Malaysia's maritime role, says Tee Keat
- Birthday bash turns tragic
- WHO: More women getting HIV from their husbands
- Lonely and seeking love at Saleng Zoo
- Retiree drives himself to death
- Fernandes is Airline CEO of the Year
- Fraudsters cash bail money with forged papers
RSS
