Kuala Lumpur: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has defended Malaysia’s 90-day visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals, calling for greater focus on enforcement rather than scrapping a policy that is reaping economic benefits.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tiong addressed public concerns by highlighting that the problem of foreigners engaging in illegal business activities is a global issue and should not be used to undermine policies designed to stimulate economic growth. He emphasized that the issue of foreigners earning income illegally is not unique to Malaysia and suggested that efforts should be concentrated on enhancing enforcement and monitoring to curb misuse.
He further stressed that the visa exemption has significantly contributed to economic revitalization, particularly aiding the food and beverage, hospitality, logistics, and service industries. Tiong noted that increased travel convenience has led to more business opportunities and broader customer bases fo
r local entrepreneurs.
Tiong also warned non-governmental organizations and associations against politicizing or misrepresenting government policies, especially those developed through rigorous research and cross-agency collaboration. He described blanket criticisms of such initiatives as irresponsible, as they undermine the hard work and intentions behind the policymaking process.
While acknowledging that some individuals may exploit the visa-free system for unauthorized business activities, Tiong insisted that the appropriate response lies in decisive enforcement, not policy reversal. He urged enforcement agencies to increase efforts and take firm action against lawbreakers, and encouraged the public to report any wrongdoing to the authorities.
In response to a misleading video on TikTok suggesting that the government may reverse the visa policy due to the influx of Chinese visitors, Tiong confirmed that he has contacted the Chinese Embassy for a full investigation. He urged for clarity and responsible c
ontent sharing, emphasizing that it is not the policy that is flawed, but the exploitation of its loopholes that must be addressed.