Expatriates in top management position allowed to enter Malaysia - Ismail Sabri

The government is now allowing expatriates holding top management positions in Malaysia to enter the country without having to seek the permission of the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM), Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

He said the expatriates would have to undergo COVID-19 screening in their home country before leaving for Malaysia or the screening could be conducted on their arrival here.

“These expatriates belong to the EP1, Professional Visit Pass and Resident Talent Pass Holder categories, holding key positions such as the managing director post in a Malaysian company," he said at a daily press conference on the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) here today.

Ismail Sabri said the Health Ministry (MOH) is in the midst of studying the list of Green Zone countries and individuals departing from these countries need not undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

However, he said they would have to download and use the MySejahtera application for monitoring purposes.

“Those who are not from the Green Zone countries, will have to be placed under the 14-day home quarantine. As for expatriates under the EP2 and EP3 categories, the Immigration Department is considering their re-entry process into Malaysia,” he said.

Ismail Sabri added that foreign technical specialists required for their skills in machinery, ship repairs and others, would need to apply for the Professional Visit Pass through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online system, in advance.

“They are required to undergo the COVID-19 screening in their home country or on arrival here and to download the MySejahtera application for monitoring. Those from Green Zone countries do not have to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine,” he said.

In addition, Ismail Sabri said the government has agreed to allow Singaporeans (those residing in Singapore only) and Brunei nationals (living in Brunei only) to enter the country via the entry points, without having to seek Immigration permission, undergo COVID-19 screening or self quarantine at home.

He said this was subject to the Singapore and Brunei governments giving the same treatment to Malaysian citizens (reciprocity policy) and pending further discussions between the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) with its counterparts.

As for international medical tourists, Ismail Sabri said they would have to go through the MOH, register with Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and would need to undergo the COVID-19 screening in their home country or upon arrival in Malaysia.

“They need not be placed under mandatory quarantine but to be taken directly to the hospital. They are also allowed to bring along a companion and to download the MySejahtera app,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said as for international students studying at public, private higher learning institutions and international schools in the country, the government would refer the lists to the Higher Education Ministry and Education Ministry for verification purposes.

“The students are required to undergo the COVID-19 screening in their home country or on arrival here, must undergo the mandatory 14-day home quarantine and download the MySejahtera application.

Ismail Sabri said students wishing to continue their studies abroad only need to submit proof of their course registration at the airport immigration counter.

"Malaysians who need to travel abroad on emergency or for business purposes will have to provide proof of documentation to the immigration officer at the airport," he said.

-- BERNAMA