FOREIGN TOURISTS MISUSING SOCIAL VISIT PASSES TO RUN BUSINESSES - HOME MINISTER

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Some foreign tourists have been detected misusing Social Visit Passes (PLS) to open businesses in Malaysia by using local partners, in addition to working illegally, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. 

He said the ministry had identified several industries involved, including tourism, interior design, furniture and restaurants, adding that the issue had been discussed several times at Cabinet meetings.

“Even if they act as financiers, they are still required to apply for the appropriate pass to conduct business. Entering the country as a tourist but engaging in business activities is against the law, and enforcement action will be taken,” he told a press conference after the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

Saifuddin Nasution revealed that such activities were particularly prevalent in the tourism sector, especially in areas under the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSCOM), including islands around Semporna.

“Joint operations with ESSCOM found up to 81 chalet units being run by foreigners who initially entered the country using local partners before taking over operations themselves. This clearly affects local entrepreneurs who comply with the law,” he said.

He therefore urged local authorities to be more alert to developments in their respective areas, noting that projects such as chalets are not built overnight, while stressing that investigations would zoom in on all possible angles, including the potential involvement of tourism agents, to identify the real culprits.

Saifuddin Nasution said apart from tourism, the Home Ministry had also detected foreign involvement in the interior design, restaurant and furniture industries.

He said enforcement operations carried out by agencies under the ministry focus on detecting foreigners who breach the conditions of their passes, as PLS holders are not permitted to work or conduct business.

“We enforce several laws, including the Immigration Act, covering those who enter the country through unofficial routes, misuse their passes or overstay,” he said.

He added that from 2025 until mid-January this year, a total of 54,791 foreigners had been subjected to enforcement action for misusing social visit passes to work in Malaysia.

Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry remains committed to strengthening enforcement measures to curb the misuse of PLS, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call for serious attention to be given to issues involving visit pass abuse. 

On Jan 30, Communications Minister and MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Prime Minister wanted firm enforcement action taken against foreigners who misuse social visit passes or visa relaxations to work in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA