Malaysia introduces eVisa for Bangladeshis

Against the backdrop of numerous complaints and inconvenience in obtaining visa, the Malaysian government has decided to introduce eVisa (electronic visa) for Bangladesh nationals, which is expected to facilitate more hassle-free visits to the popular Southeast Asian destination. Bangladeshis will now able to apply on line for eVisa without visiting the embassy of Malaysia. “Yes, from now on, Bangladeshis will be able to visit Malaysia through eVisa, which is free from any hassle” high commissioner to Kuala Lumpur Shahidul Islam told The Independent yesterday. “We hope this will allow our people to visit Malaysia without any problem and ensure the genuineness of the visas,” he said. On Tuesday, the high commissioner said that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak officially launched the immigration department's eVisa and eVISA communication centre in Putrajaya, the capital of Malaysia.

“I was invited at the launching ceremony along with envoys of some other countries,” he said, adding, “I also had a tiny interaction with the Malaysian prime minister.”

The envoy, however, said that it might take some time for the system to be operational due to logistical matters. The new system will provide tourists, students and businesspeople with a fast, convenient and secure way to apply for Malaysian visa, he said. Citizens of China, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Serbia, Montenegro and Nepal will also be eligible to obtain eVisa.

Meanwhile, high commissioner Islam said that he is aware of the reports of the detention of five Bangladeshis with drugs worth about Tk 18 crore.

“I saw it in media. But, the Malaysian authorities have not yet informed us. After being informed we will ascertain the nationality of the detained followed by necessary measures,” he said.

Some 150kg of methamphetamine worth about Tk 18 crore and packed in six gunny sacks were seized during a raid on a warehouse in Seri Kembangan, a place near Kuala Lumpur, according to Malaysian media reports. Seven men, including five Bangladesh nationals, were arrested during the operation by the Customs Department.

Replying to a question, the high commissioner said that the number of detained Bangladeshis in different parts of Bangladesh is very low.

“I cannot give you an exact figure now. But, before the recent crackdown, we had a list containing a number that is not even 125,” he said.

Media reports state over 1,500 ‘irregular Bangladeshis’ have been detained in the crackdown on illegal immigrants the Malaysian authorities launched on July 1 after the expiry of June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign workers to register with immigration authorities.

This number is disputed by the high commission in Kuala Lumpur and it is in touch with the Malaysian authorities in this regard.

“Look, I don’t agree with the figure that I get through the media,” high commissioner Islam had earlier told The Independent.

“How can the concerned Malaysian authorities definitely say that they are Bangladeshis? I don’t get it. The detained people who are called

Bangladeshis in most of the cases do not proper documents,” he said.

“We stayed in touch with the concerned Malaysian authorities in this regard and explained our position that no one can be definitely called without verification process,” said the envoy.

“When the names of alleged irregular Bangladeshis come to us we ascertain their nationality through a process that involves our home ministry,” he added. Malaysia hosts about 2.5 to 3 lakh documented and an unknown number of Bangladeshis without proper documentation.

Malaysia introduces eVisa for Bangladeshis

Against the backdrop of numerous complaints and inconvenience in obtaining visa, the Malaysian government has decided to introduce eVisa (electronic visa) for Bangladesh nationals, which is expected to facilitate more hassle-free visits to the popular Southeast Asian destination. Bangladeshis will now able to apply on line for eVisa without visiting the embassy of Malaysia. Yes, from now on, Bangladeshis will be able to visit Malaysia through eVisa, which is free from any hassle high commissioner to Kuala Lumpur Shahidul Islam told The Independent yesterday. We hope this will allow our people to visit Malaysia without any problem and ensure the genuineness of the visas, he said. On Tuesday, the high commissioner said that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak officially launched the immigration departments eVisa and eVISA communication centre in Putrajaya, the capital of Malaysia. I was invited at the launching ceremony along with envoys of some other countries, he said, adding, I also had a tiny interaction with the Malaysian prime minister. The envoy, however, said that it might take some time for the system to be operational due to logistical matters. The new system will provide tourists, students and businesspeople with a fast, convenient and secure way to apply for Malaysian visa, he said. Citizens of China, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Serbia, Montenegro and Nepal will also be eligible to obtain eVisa. Meanwhile, high commissioner Islam said that he is aware of the reports of the detention of five Bangladeshis with drugs worth about Tk 18 crore. I saw it in media. But, the Malaysian authorities have not yet informed us. After being informed we will ascertain the nationality of the detained followed by necessary measures, he said. Some 150kg of methamphetamine worth about Tk 18 crore and packed in six gunny sacks were seized during a raid on a warehouse in Seri Kembangan, a place near Kuala Lumpur, according to Malaysian media reports. Seven men, including five Bangladesh nationals, were arrested during the operation by the Customs Department. Replying to a question, the high commissioner said that the number of detained Bangladeshis in different parts of Bangladesh is very low. I cannot give you an exact figure now. But, before the recent crackdown, we had a list containing a number that is not even 125, he said. Media reports state over 1,500 irregular Bangladeshis have been detained in the crackdown on illegal immigrants the Malaysian authorities launched on July 1 after the expiry of June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign workers to register with immigration authorities. This number is disputed by the high commission in Kuala Lumpur and it is in touch with the Malaysian authorities in this regard. Look, I dont agree with the figure that I get through the media, high commissioner Islam had earlier told The Independent. How can the concerned Malaysian authorities definitely say that they are Bangladeshis? I dont get it. The detained people who are called Bangladeshis in most of the cases do not proper documents, he said. We stayed in touch with the concerned Malaysian authorities in this regard and explained our position that no one can be definitely called without verification process, said the envoy. When the names of alleged irregular Bangladeshis come to us we ascertain their nationality through a process that involves our home ministry, he added. Malaysia hosts about 2.5 to 3 lakh documented and an unknown number of Bangladeshis without proper documentation.