Kuala Lumpur: The Visa Liberalisation Plan (PLV) for Chinese visitors has been extended for another five years, as the initiative has shown immediate positive impact on the country’s economy, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He noted that the decision to extend the PLV was part of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and documents signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Malaysia, covering various sectors of cooperation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, among these agreements was a joint visa exemption for holders of public affairs and ordinary passports, signed by Saifuddin Nasution and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The agreement will allow Chinese nationals to stay in Malaysia for up to 90 days as tourists, with an option for renewal after five years, while China will reciprocate with the same arrangement for Malaysian visitors.
The Visa Liberalisation Plan aims to boost national income by enhancing existing immigration facilities for travelers from various regions, including Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and West Asia. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that the joint visa exemption agreement will deepen exchanges and cooperation, further advancing the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
Saifuddin Nasution highlighted the positive outcomes of the arrangement, with a noticeable increase in tourist arrivals from China. Data from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture indicates that Chinese tourists spend an average of RM7,000 during their stay in Malaysia. As of April this year, Malaysia recorded close to 900,000 tourist arrivals from China, with over four million Chinese tourists visiting the country last year. He stressed the significant economic impact of tourism, noting its immediate benefits compared to investments.
In another development, Saifuddin Nasution launched the Investigation and Complaints Management System (SPEAKS), which aims to facilitate public complaints against members of the Royal Malaysia Police. The SPEAKS platform allows individuals to lodge complaints with complete details, enabling prompt follow-up actions by the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC).
Regarding MyDigital ID, Saifuddin Nasution announced plans to table amendments to the National Registration Act to support its legal framework. The National Registration Department (NRD) has been appointed the lead agency for MyDigital ID pre-registration, aimed at boosting digital ID enrolment nationwide. Introduced in 2016, MyDigital ID provides secure and legally recognised digital identity verification for online users.