IN 2019, Malaysia received 26.1 million foreign tourists and another 8.9 million foreign excursionists, making a total of 35 million foreign visitors for that year.
For Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026, Malaysia is targeting 36 million tourist arrivals, and the number of excursionist arrivals is likely to exceed 12 million. If so, total visitor arrivals will be at least 48 million.
This would mean an average of 5,500 foreign visitors entering our country every hour, at less than half the rate during low periods of the day, twice as many during normal hours, and more than tripling at its peak.
In addition to foreigners, the Immigration Department will also process Malaysians exiting the country, which could be up to 18 million for the year, and again upon their return. As such, immigration officers will have their hands full from now until 2026 and beyond.
But will they be able to cope? No, unless there is a paradigm shift such as not being numbed by long queues waiting to pass through immigration counters, especially at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminals and the Causeway and Second Link in Johor.
It is an ordeal to stand in line for more than an hour, and waiting anxiously and indefinitely feels like an eternity. Those caught in such situations may vow never again, especially after witnessing family members going through such suffering.
Other than another pandemic outbreak, inefficient and indifferent immigration is the greatest threat to achieving VMY 2026 official targets, and they are to attract 35.6 million foreign tourists spending RM147.1 bil in Malaysia.
But if there are no more complaints about long waits to clear immigration from now on, it is likely to be equally smooth come 2026 and our Immigration Department ought to be congratulated.
If urgency is lacking to facilitate entry, then problems will persist. While the Immigration Department must carry out enforcement against illegal entries and activities, it must not allow overzealous sentiments to cloud its judgment in the treatment of bona fide visitors.
Malaysians should always bear in mind and appreciate that foreign workers, investors and visitors have contributed greatly to our nation. In the coming years, the tourist dollar spent by foreign visitors will have a great impact on our economy and the livelihood of many.
Just as immigration officers can allow or refuse entry of foreigners, much of our nation’s well-being is also in their hands, as they are also instrumental in determining the first impression of Malaysia. It would be a huge blessing if they were conscientious, courteous and efficient.
At the Immigration Department’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri do at Putrajaya yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on the Immigration Department to operate as a solid team with sincere intentions to bring about change and to put an end to inappropriate practices.
Sadly, when problems are not resolved for umpteenth years in the same government departments, the public tends to see such organised chaos as part of a grand design created to benefit corrupt officials.
But if they serve with integrity, they will earn salutes and appreciation from both Malaysians and foreigners. – May 7, 2024
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main pic credit: NSTP
