Home minister reports increased misuse of tourist visas for work, with a new task force to coordinate stricter enforcement actions.
ALOR SETAR: The misuse of Social Visit Passes by foreign nationals in Malaysia has shown a slight increase over the past two years.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Immigration Department has detected various forms of PLS abuse, including tourists who later work or conduct business.
He cited cases of foreigners entering as tourists, taking orders for furniture, and returning with completed goods at prices undercutting local traders.
“Such practices have an impact on local traders,” he told reporters after inspecting a development project.
He was commenting on a new government task force, coordinated by the Ministry of Finance, to address the PLS misuse issue.
Saifuddin said the Immigration Department and Border Control Agency are ready for stricter enforcement following the task force’s establishment.
“If arrests are made, the existing laws will be fully enforced and legal processes will be carried out,” he stated.
“While we welcome tourists and visitors to the country, they must also respect the laws of the land.”
Separately, he urged organisers of the Anti-Illegal Houses of Worship Movement rally not to proceed in the federal capital.
He cited an official visit from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing India as a strategic trade partner and major palm oil buyer.
Earlier, Saifuddin inspected the RM17.5 million Kedah Regional Development Authority Business Facilities Centre project.
He said the project, once classified as sick, is now 95% complete and expected to be fully operational by August.