Foreign tourists visiting Malaysia must now have return tickets, says KL minister

Tourists in Malaysia, like those above, may be required to have return tickets and sufficient funds. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Tourists in Malaysia, like those above, may be required to have return tickets and sufficient funds. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

IN A bid to stop the flood of illegal immigrants into the country, all foreign tourists visiting Malaysia must have return tickets, the local news media has reported Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as saying.

Datuk Wan Junaidi was quoted as saying to the Senate on Wednesday by Malay daily Sinar Harian: "We also advise them to have sufficient money for themselves throughout their stay here."

The measures were in place to prevent visitors from overstaying, the Malay Mail Online reported him as saying.

He also said that the authorities are keeping an eye on spots on the coastline popular for illegal immigrants to enter. The police are also targeting human traffickers on land, the Malay Mail Online reported.

"I must stress that the issue of the influx of foreigners is not the responsibility of just one party, but requires various agencies and the rakyat (the general public) to not give protection, rent out premises and possessions," the Malay Mail Online quoted him as saying.

The minister's remarks come after Malaysia said in November that it would come down hard on illegal migrant workers in Cameron Highlands. The Immigration Department weeded out 181 immigrants who failed to produce valid papers.

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