Malaysia restricts entry of long-term residents from Indonesia, Philippines and India effective 7 Sep

From 7 September, long-term pass holders from India, Indonesia, and the Philippines will no longer be able to enter Malaysia.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced in a press conference yesterday that long-term pass holders from India, Indonesia, and the Philippines will be barred from entering the country, effective 7 September, Bernama reported.

The restrictions include six categories of long-term pass holders, including: 

1. Permanent resident status (PR)
2. Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MM2H)
3. Expatriates including professional visit pass holders (PVP)
4. Resident pass holders
5. Spouse visas and their children
6. Students who are citizens of the respective countries

The minister said: "In the past, I had announced some concessions (for the six categories), but looking at the sudden increase in cases, we decided to impose entry restrictions."

He added that restrictions on long-term pass holders from other countries will be reviewed by the government, due to concerns of a sharp increase in COVID-19 positive cases in countries which were experiencing winter. 

"We are looking into this matter and if there is a sudden increase then maybe we will issue the same order against those countries," he said.

He added that all decisions were made after getting advice from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Given that Malaysians returning from the countries which experience winter cannot be stopped from returning due to the constitution, MOH has also been asked to submit plans and action plans that need to be implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“I believe the Immigration Act also cannot block Malaysians from returning. Therefore, we (government) will see comprehensively what the next action is on this matter, "he added.

Separately, Ismail Sabri said that the proposal to increase the rate of compound on those who violated the standard operating procedures of the RMCO is still under study as it involves amending the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) and Interpretation Act 1948 and 1967 (Act 388).

"Many are of the view that it be increased to RM10,000 if possible. In Act 342, the government has no choice but the maximum compound is only RM1,000," he said.

Ismail Sabri added that the matter was being investigated by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan together with the MOH.

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