Malaysia, Myanmar agree to waive visa for government officials, business travellers

With the agreement, government officials and businessmen who are endorsed by their respective chambers of commerce from both countries would not require visa.

"The no visa requirement is reciprocal," he told reporters after the delegation meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Myanmar President U Thein Sein at Perdana Putra Building here Friday.

Anifah was asked if the issue on visa requirement for travelling to Myanmar was discussed during the Malaysia-Myanmar meeting, which took place on the final day of Thein Sein's two-day state visit to Malaysia.

It is Thein Sein's maiden visit to Malaysia made at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

"For the rest, we will be working step by step. For the ordinary passport holders, we will work and discuss further in the near future," Anifah added.

It is learnt that the details on the visa waive would be ironed out by officials from both countries later.

According to a website, www.evisaasia.com, which published information on travels to Asia and Australia, Malaysian citizens need a visa to visit Myanmar.

The website said visa exemption or visa-free access does not apply to Malaysians.

The Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia, in its website, stated that Malaysians going to Myanmar could apply for tourist visa, business visa, multiple journey visa, social visa and mediation visa.

Asked on problems by Malaysians to get tourist visas to Myanmar, Anifah said the tourism ministers of Malaysia and Myanmar would work together on how best to promote tourism, not only between Malaysia and Myanmar, but also among the ASEAN member states.

On labour issue, he said Malaysia and Myanmar would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the matter.

Anifah said Malaysia and Myanmar also discussed cooperation between the two countries in education where Myanmar informed that the country required more places under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).

Since 1983, a total of 1,559 Myanmar officials have been trained under the programme.

"Malaysia will continue to offer places to them (Myanmar)," he added.

On the plight of the Rohingyas in Malaysia, Anifah said the matter was also discussed at today's meeting.

"There will be continuous discussion and such matter would be discussed during the Malaysia-Myanmar joint committee meeting in June," he said.