The Malaysian Insight

THE cabinet has decided to scrap the MyTravelPass (MTP) approval for Malaysians who want to travel abroad, sources said. 

They told The Malaysian Insight that the decision would come into effect immediately and Malaysians leaving the country no longer had to apply for the pass from the Immigration Department. 

The decision was made in the cabinet meeting today, they said. 

The MTP was issued to those travelling abroad after the borders were closed following the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud previously said the pass was enforced to monitor movements of travellers who are entering and exiting the country as part of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 cases. 

The move also drew criticism due to the long and tedious application process, a source said. 

Malaysian Association of Tour Agents chairman Mohd Khalid Harun recently urged the government to cancel the MTP system because the process was too cumbersome and took about 14 days. 

He said the system should be abolished as more than 80% of the adult population in Malaysia have been vaccinated. 

More than 10,000 applicants are currently being processed. 

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has also asked the department to review the categories of application. 

From October 7, 2020 to September 10, 2021, the department had received 356,510 applications, and of the total, 208,509 were approved, 127,465 rejected, 6,697 cancelled by the applicants and 13,000 still being processed. 

Malaysia remains in an international lockdown mode with Malaysians only allowed to leave the country with “valid” reasons, and subjected to MTP approvals. 

Two days ago Damansara MP Tony Pua said the department should just scrap this scheme entirely as it has outlived its usefulness. 

“We have received numerous complaints of the bureaucratic process of MTP applications as well as the somewhat arbitrary process of approving applications.  

“Many have had to undergo the stress, anxiety and uncertainty of rescheduling trips or worse bearing unnecessary travel expenses due to the application process,” he said. 

Under the current scheme, only those who have been offered a job or entry into an educational institution, are attending meetings or business affairs, and those participating in exhibitions, training or competitions abroad may be given approval with an official application, supported with a letter from the relevant regulatory agency.  

Other categories are emergency affairs concerning immediate family members due to death or illness, partner visa holders and those participating in humanitarian or religious aid missions.  

Travel abroad for all other reasons are barred entirely. – September 24, 2021.