MALAYSIA - Early Visit Malaysia Year arrivals become illegal immigrants

eTN, 11-09-2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (eTN) -- Almost 3,000 early visitors under the VMY 2006 visa-on-arrival (VOA) program have now become illegal immigrants after overstaying their visas.

Under the newly-introduced VOA program, introduced by the Malaysian government in September this year, visitors from 24 countries are allowed entry by just producing their passport and paying RM100 (US$25) for a one-month visitor's visa in the country.

"They have taken advantage of our kindness by overstaying, and refusing to leave," said Home Affairs Minister Radzi Ahnmad. "It is difficult to trace them, but we will hunt for those who have abused and flouted their entry permits."

Adding to the problem, according to the minister, newly arrived illegal immigrants are able to blend in easily into the present Malaysian racial mix of Malays, Chinese and Indians.

Most of the latest addition to the country's illegal immigrants list are from traditional sources India, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal and African countries.

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