By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Aug 9: The Immigration Department has been told to speed up the Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) process for travellers from China and India to boost the state’s tourism.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said there is a need to expedite the process to reduce waiting time, as this could help encourage tourism appeal to the state and Miri City in particular.
“I want a solution to help reduce the waiting time, as we speed up the procedures.
“The reduce in VOA processing time would help boost tourist arrival to the city, especially among those from China and India,” he told reporters after a briefing on the VOA at Sungai Tujoh Immigration checkpoint, here, today.
Miri Resident Mastapa Julaihi and Immigration Sungai Tujoh person-in-charged Wong Yieng Ching were present.
Lee said both the travel agents and Immigration officers should have better understanding on the matter, so that the process can be expedited.
“Do not complicate the process,” he continued.
VOA is an effort by the federal government to help boost up tourist arrival during the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 campaign. VOA is an access only given to tourists from China and India who enters Malaysia via Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
As in July this year, tourists from China arriving via the Sungai Tujoh checkpoint is recorded at 4,694, while Indian nationals at 11,827. — DayakDaily
