Malaysia to implement Vehicle Entry Permit for all foreign vehicles from October
A road transport law that requires all foreign vehicle owners coming into Malaysia to register for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) will be enforced from October.
In a statement on Thursday (Apr 25), the Malaysian Ministry of Transport said that the VEP will be issued by the Road Transport Department and can be applied for online in a "simple three-step action".
"Only VEP-registered vehicles are allowed entry into Malaysia once it is put into force," it said.
The ministry added that the enforcement of VEP will be implemented in phases.
"For phase one, requirement of VEP for all foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia through Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar, Johor, will commence from Oct 1 this year," the ministry said.
"For the enforcement of VEP phase 1, the VEP-RFID tag can be installed or collected at four designated centres in Johor Bahru, which are Gelang Patah Southbound RR; Plaza Angsana Open Carpark; Pandan RnR and Lima Kedai Toll Plaza."
Phase two will involve entry points and land borders between Malaysia and Thailand, while phase three will expand the enforcement of VEP to all entry points and land borders between Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
The enforcement dates for phases two and three will be announced "in due course", the ministry said.
All vehicle owners who have yet to register for a permit are being reminded to do so. A VEP for each registered motor vehicle will be valid for five years.
VEP AT MALAYSIA-BRUNEI BORDER
Road Transport Department director-general Shaharuddin Khalid revealed plans by the department to impose the VEP requirement at four Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexes along the Malaysia-Brunei border.
A proposal paper for the plan will be submitted to Transport Minister Anthony Loke later this year, with the main objective of easing the monitoring of foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia.
"We hope the VEP requirement can be implemented at the locations early next year," he said at a press conference.
Drivers applying for the VEP will face a one-off registration fee of RM10 to have their permit processed.
Source: Bernama/nh
Friday, April 26, 2019
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Foreigners leaving Singapore no longer need passports stamped
Foreigners leaving Singapore no longer need passports stamped from April 22
Foreigners leaving Singapore will no longer need to have their passports stamped from next Monday (April 22).
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Wednesday that it would "cease the issuance of departure immigration endorsements", meaning stamps of departure dates on travel documents, from April 22.
This is part of ongoing efforts to streamline procedures at the checkpoints and make clearing departure immigration more efficient, it added.
Since September 2016, foreign travellers whose fingerprints were enrolled via the BioScreen system upon their arrival into Singapore have been able to use automated lanes when they leave the country.
Such travellers do not receive stamps on their passports.
Before that, all foreigners departing Singapore had to get their passports stamped with the date of their departure by immigration officers at the manned counters.
The ICA said it would also be informing foreign authorities on its move to cease departure immigration endorsement for foreigners.
More information can be found at www.ica.gov.sg
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
Foreigners leaving Singapore will no longer need to have their passports stamped from next Monday (April 22).
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Wednesday that it would "cease the issuance of departure immigration endorsements", meaning stamps of departure dates on travel documents, from April 22.
This is part of ongoing efforts to streamline procedures at the checkpoints and make clearing departure immigration more efficient, it added.
Since September 2016, foreign travellers whose fingerprints were enrolled via the BioScreen system upon their arrival into Singapore have been able to use automated lanes when they leave the country.
Such travellers do not receive stamps on their passports.
Before that, all foreigners departing Singapore had to get their passports stamped with the date of their departure by immigration officers at the manned counters.
The ICA said it would also be informing foreign authorities on its move to cease departure immigration endorsement for foreigners.
More information can be found at www.ica.gov.sg
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
Monday, April 15, 2019
Malaysian carrier Firefly to resume Singapore flights with twice-daily trips
Malaysian carrier Firefly to resume Singapore flights with twice-daily trips
Malaysian budget carrier Firefly said on Friday (Apr 12) that it will resume flights to Singapore with two trips a day.
The move comes after Malaysia suspended its permanent Restricted Area over Pasir Gudang indefinitely, while Singapore withdrew the Instrument Landing System procedures at Seletar Airport, paving the way for Firefly to resume operations.
Firefly will offer two flights a day between Subang and Seletar Airports from April 22 to 28, followed thereafter by six daily flights, it said.
"The schedule takes into account stringent safety measures that are in compliance with the technical requirements established by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia," it said.
Chief executive officer Philip See said the flights will play a significant role in strengthening economic and social ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
"It's important for business, for connecting family and friends, and for tourism, to have our Singapore flights reinstated," he said.
"The new schedule, along with other service enhancements, will be progressively rolled out over the coming months."
Going forward, the 12-year-old airline aims to resume a full schedule once the necessary technical and regulatory approvals are secured.
Tickets are available for purchase from Friday via website www.fireflyz.com.my, the mobile app or the call centre at 03-7845 4543.
Firefly suspended its flights to Singapore in December last year, after it was unable to obtain approval from Malaysia’s aviation regulator to move its operations from Changi Airport to Seletar Airport.
Before the suspension, Firefly offered 20 daily flights between Singapore and Subang, Ipoh and Kuantan.
Source: Bernama/CNA/aj(mi)
Malaysian budget carrier Firefly said on Friday (Apr 12) that it will resume flights to Singapore with two trips a day.
The move comes after Malaysia suspended its permanent Restricted Area over Pasir Gudang indefinitely, while Singapore withdrew the Instrument Landing System procedures at Seletar Airport, paving the way for Firefly to resume operations.
Firefly will offer two flights a day between Subang and Seletar Airports from April 22 to 28, followed thereafter by six daily flights, it said.
"The schedule takes into account stringent safety measures that are in compliance with the technical requirements established by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia," it said.
Chief executive officer Philip See said the flights will play a significant role in strengthening economic and social ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
"It's important for business, for connecting family and friends, and for tourism, to have our Singapore flights reinstated," he said.
"The new schedule, along with other service enhancements, will be progressively rolled out over the coming months."
Going forward, the 12-year-old airline aims to resume a full schedule once the necessary technical and regulatory approvals are secured.
Tickets are available for purchase from Friday via website www.fireflyz.com.my, the mobile app or the call centre at 03-7845 4543.
Firefly suspended its flights to Singapore in December last year, after it was unable to obtain approval from Malaysia’s aviation regulator to move its operations from Changi Airport to Seletar Airport.
Before the suspension, Firefly offered 20 daily flights between Singapore and Subang, Ipoh and Kuantan.
Source: Bernama/CNA/aj(mi)
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Malaysia, Indonesia tie for top spot among Muslim-friendly travel destinations
Malaysia, Indonesia tie for top spot among Muslim-friendly travel destinations
Malaysia has taken the top spot in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) for the ninth year in a row, but for the first time it is sharing that position with Indonesia.
The GMTI 2019 report, which includes 130 destinations globally, gave both countries a score of 78.
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
The rest of the top 10 countries are Turkey (score of 75), Saudi Arabia (72), United Arab Emirates (71), Qatar (68), Morocco (67), Bahrain (66), Oman (66) and Brunei (65).
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
Last year, Malaysia received a score of 80.6 while Indonesia tied with the United Arab Emirates with a score of 72.8.
Singapore remains the premier Muslim-friendly travel destination among non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations this year, followed by Thailand, the United Kingdom, Japan and Taiwan.
The index tracks the health and growth of Muslim-friendly travel destinations in four strategic areas – access, communications, environment and services. — BERNAMA
Malaysia has taken the top spot in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) for the ninth year in a row, but for the first time it is sharing that position with Indonesia.
The GMTI 2019 report, which includes 130 destinations globally, gave both countries a score of 78.
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
The rest of the top 10 countries are Turkey (score of 75), Saudi Arabia (72), United Arab Emirates (71), Qatar (68), Morocco (67), Bahrain (66), Oman (66) and Brunei (65).
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
Last year, Malaysia received a score of 80.6 while Indonesia tied with the United Arab Emirates with a score of 72.8.
Singapore remains the premier Muslim-friendly travel destination among non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations this year, followed by Thailand, the United Kingdom, Japan and Taiwan.
The index tracks the health and growth of Muslim-friendly travel destinations in four strategic areas – access, communications, environment and services. — BERNAMA
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Malaysian airport departure levy
Flying out of the country? Be prepared to pay a departure levy
Anyone flying out the country will have to pay a fee when the Departure Levy Bill 2019 is passed in Parliament.
The Bill tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) for its first reading on Monday (April 8) seeks the implementation of a new levy on any person leaving Malaysia.
However, the amount of the proposed levy was not mentioned in the Bill.
In Budget 2019, the government had proposed a departure levy of RM20 for Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The Bill also proposes hefty punishments for those who avoid paying the levy.
Any registered person who makes an incorrect return or information can face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, a three-year jail term or both, upon sentencing.
According to the Bill, a registered person means any operator or agent of foreign operators.
The Bill also states that anyone with the intent to evade or assist another to avoid the departure levy will also be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1mil, a five-year jail sentence or both upon sentencing.
The proposed Act also states that any person who in any way assaults, obstructs, hinders, threatens or molests a Customs officer in the discharge of his function or fails to give reasonable assistance to any Customs offer will also be liable to a maximum three-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both if found guilty.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Anyone flying out the country will have to pay a fee when the Departure Levy Bill 2019 is passed in Parliament.
The Bill tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) for its first reading on Monday (April 8) seeks the implementation of a new levy on any person leaving Malaysia.
However, the amount of the proposed levy was not mentioned in the Bill.
In Budget 2019, the government had proposed a departure levy of RM20 for Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The Bill also proposes hefty punishments for those who avoid paying the levy.
Any registered person who makes an incorrect return or information can face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, a three-year jail term or both, upon sentencing.
According to the Bill, a registered person means any operator or agent of foreign operators.
The Bill also states that anyone with the intent to evade or assist another to avoid the departure levy will also be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1mil, a five-year jail sentence or both upon sentencing.
The proposed Act also states that any person who in any way assaults, obstructs, hinders, threatens or molests a Customs officer in the discharge of his function or fails to give reasonable assistance to any Customs offer will also be liable to a maximum three-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both if found guilty.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Pakistan eases visa rules
Pakistan eases visa rules to 'heaven for tourists'
Pakistan has loosened travel restrictions in the hope of reviving tourism by offering visas on arrival to visitors from 50 countries and electronic visas to 175 nationalities, the government said on Friday (Jan 25).
The reforms, approved by the cabinet, would open up a new era for the tourism industry, which was devastated by Islamist violence after the Sep 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, Minister of Information Fawad Chaudhry said.
"We have mountain tourism, we have beach tourism," Chaudhry told reporters in Islamabad, referring to Himalayan peaks and Arabian Sea beaches seldom visited by foreigners.
"Pakistan is a heaven for tourists."
Chaudhry did not identify the countries that would benefit from the new rules but in December, he told Reuters that citizens of most European countries would be granted a visa on arrival.
Tourists would also be allowed to visit the politically sensitive Himalayan region of Kashmir and other northern areas, which now require special permission.
The new rules would also ease travel restrictions on foreign journalists, Chaudhry said.
The new visa regime comes after some countries eased travel advisories on Pakistan in light of improvements in security.
Pakistan was last a prominent tourist destination in the 1970s when the "hippie trail" brought Western travellers through the apricot and walnut orchards of the Swat Valley and Kashmir on their way to India and Nepal.
Since then, deteriorating security and the imposition of a harsh interpretation of Islamic laws has chipped away at the number of visitors.
But security has since improved dramatically in recent years, with militant attacks down sharply in the mainly Muslim country of 208 million people.
The state Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation said last year tourist arrivals rose to 1.75 million in 2017, media reported.
Source: Reuters/zl
Pakistan has loosened travel restrictions in the hope of reviving tourism by offering visas on arrival to visitors from 50 countries and electronic visas to 175 nationalities, the government said on Friday (Jan 25).
The reforms, approved by the cabinet, would open up a new era for the tourism industry, which was devastated by Islamist violence after the Sep 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, Minister of Information Fawad Chaudhry said.
"We have mountain tourism, we have beach tourism," Chaudhry told reporters in Islamabad, referring to Himalayan peaks and Arabian Sea beaches seldom visited by foreigners.
"Pakistan is a heaven for tourists."
Chaudhry did not identify the countries that would benefit from the new rules but in December, he told Reuters that citizens of most European countries would be granted a visa on arrival.
Tourists would also be allowed to visit the politically sensitive Himalayan region of Kashmir and other northern areas, which now require special permission.
The new rules would also ease travel restrictions on foreign journalists, Chaudhry said.
The new visa regime comes after some countries eased travel advisories on Pakistan in light of improvements in security.
Pakistan was last a prominent tourist destination in the 1970s when the "hippie trail" brought Western travellers through the apricot and walnut orchards of the Swat Valley and Kashmir on their way to India and Nepal.
Since then, deteriorating security and the imposition of a harsh interpretation of Islamic laws has chipped away at the number of visitors.
But security has since improved dramatically in recent years, with militant attacks down sharply in the mainly Muslim country of 208 million people.
The state Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation said last year tourist arrivals rose to 1.75 million in 2017, media reported.
Source: Reuters/zl
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