PUTRAJAYA: Visitors from Chennai, India, are no longer eligible for the visa-on-arrival (VOA) when they land in Malaysia.
They now have to obtain their visas in their own country before entering Malaysia, said Home Affairs Ministers Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad. The ruling took effect from Nov 29.
The VOA, introduced for 24 countries requiring a visa to enter Malaysia was enforced on Sept 1, and available with a RM100 fee at immigration counters. It is valid for a month.
It was introduced to draw an expected 21 million people during the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 period. Among the countries are China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Up to Nov 6, over 14,500 visitors had applied for the VOA, of which more than 10,000 were from India.
The others were from China (1,634), Sri Lanka (980), Bangladesh (862) and Pakistan (796).
Records showed that 2,789 Indian tourists had overstayed, followed by 355 from China.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the Cabinet decided last week that the VOA would no longer be issued to those from Chennai as too many of them had over stayed.
“Due to many of them remaining in the country after the visa expired, I submitted a Cabinet paper to put a stop to it. The Cabinet agreed.
“I do not know how long the VOA freeze will be on those from Chennai but the number of overstaying tourists will be monitored from time to time,” he told reporters after launch ing the Biometrics Security System and the ministry’s Immigration Identity Card, cre ated by Multimedia Glory Sdn Bhd, here Friday.
Under the biometrics system the fingerprints of foreign workers are recorded to ensure they are legal workers right from the time they leave their country of origin.
It takes about 0.5 seconds to read the fingerprints, which, he said, was faster than the American system, which took about 40 seconds.
Workers from Bangladesh have been using the system for a year and it has been found to be successful in detecting many illegal workers, he said, adding that it will soon be introduced to workers from other source countries.
“There are about 1.9 million foreign workers in the country with illegal workers numbering between 500,000 and 700,000,” said Radzi.
He plans to have the system at the National Registration Department to enable all min istries and agencies to retrieve data of all Malaysians from one single platform.
On the Immigration Identity Card, he said, it had high security features and that students, workers from various sectors and those regarding Malaysia their second home would be issued with separate cards dif ferentiated by colours.
Workers who renewed their permits next year will be issued with the new cards while issuance of new cards for others will start with university students first, who numbered about 40,000, he said
Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Making Malaysia 2nd home plan more attractive
THE Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme has been in the news again.
The M2H programme was re-launched with new and better incentives (effective from April this year) such as the 10-year social visit pass and multiple-entry visa for successful applicants. After 10 years, it is guaranteed renewable provided the MM2H participants do not violate the laws and rules of this country.
They are also free to stay in Malaysia as often as they like during the 10 years.
They can also import their own car or buy a new one tax-free and they can bring in a maid to Malaysia. Their school-going children will be given student passes to further their studies at international colleges and universities.
Another benefit is that they can obtain up to 80% housing loan as compared with the normal 60% for foreign applicants. There is also no need to obtain Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) approval for purchasing properties in Malaysia.
To qualify for the MM2H programme, successful applicants, single or married, need to open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000 for those aged below 50 years and a fixed deposit of RM150,000 or show proof of monthly off-shore income of RM10,000 for those 50 years and above.
Participants are allowed to withdraw from their fixed deposit account after one year, but withdrawals must be related to house purchase, education for their children in Malaysia and medical purposes. Participants must also maintain a minimum of RM60,000 from the second year onwards and throughout their stay in Malaysia under the programme.
Each participant is allowed to purchase up to two units of residential houses at a minimum price of RM150,000 to RM350,000 and above each, depending on the location of the property (RM350,000 and above each for certain areas in Sarawak; RM250,000 and above each in Penang, Malacca and Johor; and RM150,000 and above in other states).
Some quarters have lauded the Government’s pro-active move to attract more such foreign retirees to our shores. However, there are also those who feel that the fixed deposit account should be raised to US$500,000 (RM1.84mil) to ensure that the programme attracts the right target groups.
Those advocating it may do it for their own self-interest, as they may want only the rich foreigners to buy their high-end homes.
Now, allow me to give my observations.
Fact 1: Malaysia with its bountiful natural surroundings (beaches, greenery and tropical rainforest), and plenty of sunshine with no natural calamities is a very attractive place for foreign tourists. It is also an ideal place to spend one’s retirement, as the cost of living is comparatively lower than in many countries.
This is not to mention our hospitable nature, good food and modern amenities, and infrastructure. We also have a wide range of good residential properties from condominiums to elegant houses within a gated and guarded community for our foreign guests to buy.
Fact 2: There are many foreigners who are seriously contemplating making Malaysia not just their second home but their permanent home, too. They are keen but unsure whom to approach and what the latest regulations are because rules keep changing.
However, is this the whole and honest picture that we are presenting to foreigners? I looked through one of the MM2H websites and it was mentioned that our crime rate was relatively low.
Fact 3: I do not think our crime rate is low. Cases of snatch thefts, robberies and what have you are becoming very rampant these days. More and more people are living in fear even in their own “fortress” and such homes have been burgled (as reported in a recent case in Sri Hartamas).
In order to make Malaysia an attractive place to live in, we must tackle the crime issue first. I know of Malaysians who are so fed up with being robbed that they are planning to leave this country.
Fact 4: The terrible haze that envelops us every year for the past 10 years or so is driving Malaysians up the wall. Are foreigners ready for this?
Fact 5: Why the rule on fixed deposit when thousands of illegal foreigners have set up their “second homes” here for free? It is understood that many of them have stayed in Malaysia for years and a few have waved their MyKad at me and assimilated into
the community.
Having said that, I feel the new financial requirement is quite adequate to enable the average foreigner to afford our homes.
Perhaps, extra incentives like eventually giving permanent resident status or even citizenship to high net worth individuals who bring in a higher amount under the MM2H programme.
Allow these participants to rent out their properties. After all, their Malaysian property is supposed to be their second home and it may be left vacant when they return to their first home.
For More Details, Visit
http://www.imi.gov.my/ENG/im_MalaysiaMy2Home.asp
http://mm2h.motour.gov.my/cms/index.php?n=en
The M2H programme was re-launched with new and better incentives (effective from April this year) such as the 10-year social visit pass and multiple-entry visa for successful applicants. After 10 years, it is guaranteed renewable provided the MM2H participants do not violate the laws and rules of this country.
They are also free to stay in Malaysia as often as they like during the 10 years.
They can also import their own car or buy a new one tax-free and they can bring in a maid to Malaysia. Their school-going children will be given student passes to further their studies at international colleges and universities.
Another benefit is that they can obtain up to 80% housing loan as compared with the normal 60% for foreign applicants. There is also no need to obtain Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) approval for purchasing properties in Malaysia.
To qualify for the MM2H programme, successful applicants, single or married, need to open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000 for those aged below 50 years and a fixed deposit of RM150,000 or show proof of monthly off-shore income of RM10,000 for those 50 years and above.
Participants are allowed to withdraw from their fixed deposit account after one year, but withdrawals must be related to house purchase, education for their children in Malaysia and medical purposes. Participants must also maintain a minimum of RM60,000 from the second year onwards and throughout their stay in Malaysia under the programme.
Each participant is allowed to purchase up to two units of residential houses at a minimum price of RM150,000 to RM350,000 and above each, depending on the location of the property (RM350,000 and above each for certain areas in Sarawak; RM250,000 and above each in Penang, Malacca and Johor; and RM150,000 and above in other states).
Some quarters have lauded the Government’s pro-active move to attract more such foreign retirees to our shores. However, there are also those who feel that the fixed deposit account should be raised to US$500,000 (RM1.84mil) to ensure that the programme attracts the right target groups.
Those advocating it may do it for their own self-interest, as they may want only the rich foreigners to buy their high-end homes.
Now, allow me to give my observations.
Fact 1: Malaysia with its bountiful natural surroundings (beaches, greenery and tropical rainforest), and plenty of sunshine with no natural calamities is a very attractive place for foreign tourists. It is also an ideal place to spend one’s retirement, as the cost of living is comparatively lower than in many countries.
This is not to mention our hospitable nature, good food and modern amenities, and infrastructure. We also have a wide range of good residential properties from condominiums to elegant houses within a gated and guarded community for our foreign guests to buy.
Fact 2: There are many foreigners who are seriously contemplating making Malaysia not just their second home but their permanent home, too. They are keen but unsure whom to approach and what the latest regulations are because rules keep changing.
However, is this the whole and honest picture that we are presenting to foreigners? I looked through one of the MM2H websites and it was mentioned that our crime rate was relatively low.
Fact 3: I do not think our crime rate is low. Cases of snatch thefts, robberies and what have you are becoming very rampant these days. More and more people are living in fear even in their own “fortress” and such homes have been burgled (as reported in a recent case in Sri Hartamas).
In order to make Malaysia an attractive place to live in, we must tackle the crime issue first. I know of Malaysians who are so fed up with being robbed that they are planning to leave this country.
Fact 4: The terrible haze that envelops us every year for the past 10 years or so is driving Malaysians up the wall. Are foreigners ready for this?
Fact 5: Why the rule on fixed deposit when thousands of illegal foreigners have set up their “second homes” here for free? It is understood that many of them have stayed in Malaysia for years and a few have waved their MyKad at me and assimilated into
the community.
Having said that, I feel the new financial requirement is quite adequate to enable the average foreigner to afford our homes.
Perhaps, extra incentives like eventually giving permanent resident status or even citizenship to high net worth individuals who bring in a higher amount under the MM2H programme.
Allow these participants to rent out their properties. After all, their Malaysian property is supposed to be their second home and it may be left vacant when they return to their first home.
For More Details, Visit
http://www.imi.gov.my/ENG/im_MalaysiaMy2Home.asp
http://mm2h.motour.gov.my/cms/index.php?n=en
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Malaysia to sign labour MoU with India
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
New Delhi - India and Malaysia are to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labour in October following which a Malaysian government agency will recruit blue-collared Indian workers directly, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said.
Ravi, who visited Malaysia last week, said a delegation led by Malaysian Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn will visit India in October and sign the MoU.
‘Once the agreement is made, the Malaysian government will directly recruit the Indian workers and distribute them to their companies, which need such workers,’ Ravi told IANS.
‘This agreement on labour will basically avoid the hassles and troubles created by the recruitment agencies. It would be the responsibility of the Malaysian government to ensure the safety of the workers and good wages for them there,’ he added.
Ravi said the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the Malaysian governmental agency, would recruit the workers - mainly for the construction companies in the country - and distribute them.
‘The officials from the CIDB will visit India to train the workers,’ the minister said, adding that the Indian government would identify the agency that would recruit people from here.
‘The agreement will ensure good wages, good living conditions and better medical facilities for the workers. The government will be responsible for these. That makes a lot of difference,’ Ravi explained.
He admitted that there have been serious complaints against recruitment agencies that they did not ensure good wages and living conditions for workers going abroad.
Indian workers form the third largest foreign work force in Malaysia, with 140,000 of them eking out a living there. Ethnic Indians comprise seven percent of Malaysia’s population of around 24 million.
New Delhi - India and Malaysia are to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on labour in October following which a Malaysian government agency will recruit blue-collared Indian workers directly, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said.
Ravi, who visited Malaysia last week, said a delegation led by Malaysian Human Resources Minister Fong Chan Onn will visit India in October and sign the MoU.
‘Once the agreement is made, the Malaysian government will directly recruit the Indian workers and distribute them to their companies, which need such workers,’ Ravi told IANS.
‘This agreement on labour will basically avoid the hassles and troubles created by the recruitment agencies. It would be the responsibility of the Malaysian government to ensure the safety of the workers and good wages for them there,’ he added.
Ravi said the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the Malaysian governmental agency, would recruit the workers - mainly for the construction companies in the country - and distribute them.
‘The officials from the CIDB will visit India to train the workers,’ the minister said, adding that the Indian government would identify the agency that would recruit people from here.
‘The agreement will ensure good wages, good living conditions and better medical facilities for the workers. The government will be responsible for these. That makes a lot of difference,’ Ravi explained.
He admitted that there have been serious complaints against recruitment agencies that they did not ensure good wages and living conditions for workers going abroad.
Indian workers form the third largest foreign work force in Malaysia, with 140,000 of them eking out a living there. Ethnic Indians comprise seven percent of Malaysia’s population of around 24 million.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Multiple-entry visas for Indians visiting Malaysia
Friday, August 18th, 2006
Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysian government has decided to allow Indian nationals to apply for multiple entry visas (MEVs) on condition their stay does not exceed 30 days.
The visas, which will be valid for a year, are being issued as part of the country’s bid to promote its tourism industry, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Seri Najib Tun Razak told Bernama news agency.
The MEV rate has been fixed at Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 50 for Indian tourists.
To facilitate issuance of visa for Indian tourists, the Malaysian government has also decided to set up a consulate in Mumbai soon, says the report.
The MEV offer has also been extended to Chinese visitors.
Tourists from India and China accounted for nearly 10 percent of some 7.19 million visitors to Malaysia between January and May this year.
Najib also said that his government has agreed to lift the freeze on the hiring of foreign caddies for golf courses in the country.
The Malaysian Tourism ministry took the decision following an appeal from tour operators that the six-month freeze had adversely affected the flow of tourists who liked to play golf.
Last week, in the run-up to ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2007′, the Malaysian government announced that tourists from India and 23 other nations could apply for visa on arrival at Malaysia’s international airport from Sep 1.
Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysian government has decided to allow Indian nationals to apply for multiple entry visas (MEVs) on condition their stay does not exceed 30 days.
The visas, which will be valid for a year, are being issued as part of the country’s bid to promote its tourism industry, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Seri Najib Tun Razak told Bernama news agency.
The MEV rate has been fixed at Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 50 for Indian tourists.
To facilitate issuance of visa for Indian tourists, the Malaysian government has also decided to set up a consulate in Mumbai soon, says the report.
The MEV offer has also been extended to Chinese visitors.
Tourists from India and China accounted for nearly 10 percent of some 7.19 million visitors to Malaysia between January and May this year.
Najib also said that his government has agreed to lift the freeze on the hiring of foreign caddies for golf courses in the country.
The Malaysian Tourism ministry took the decision following an appeal from tour operators that the six-month freeze had adversely affected the flow of tourists who liked to play golf.
Last week, in the run-up to ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2007′, the Malaysian government announced that tourists from India and 23 other nations could apply for visa on arrival at Malaysia’s international airport from Sep 1.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Ethnic Indian Woman could be Malaysia's First Astronaut
Kuala Lumpur, Mar 15: An ethnic Indian woman was on Tuesday named among four candidates short listed to become Malaysia's first astronaut and travel to the International Space Station next year.
S Vanajah Siva Subramaniam, 35, will travel along with three Malay men to the Russian Space Agency in Moscow soon to undergo medical and technical tests that will establish which of them will take part in the scientific expedition on board the International Space Station in 2007.
The three men are Malaysia Airlines pilot Mohammed Faiz Kamaluddin, 34; army dentist Faiz Khaleed, 26; and Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a 34-year-old hospital medical officer.
The four were chosen from more than 11,000 candidates who had submitted their applications in a process that started in 2003.
Vanajah is an engineer by profession. She was the only woman to be short-listed. All the three men are from the dominant Malay community, while Vanajah belongs to the ethnic Indian community, which comprises 8 per cent of Malaysia’s 26-million-strong population.
The two-week round in Russia will test the candidates neurological fitness and ability to adapt to a weightless environment. Two candidates will be chosen out of the three and the two will undergo 18 months of training at the Russian Space Agency.
Later only one will get to spend 10 days in a planned scientific expedition aboard the International Space Station in October 2007.
Malaysia’s space programme is likely to cost around 25 million dollars.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
