Entering M'sia? No need for arrival cards

Entering M'sia? No need for arrival cards 

 Starting from June 1, foreigners entering Malaysia need not fill in arrival cards issued by the Immigration Department, the Home Ministry said in a statement yesterday. 

Chief Secretary of the Home Ministry, Mr Mahmood Adam, said the procedure would not be required because the Immigration Department had already introduced a biometric recording system for every foreigner upon arrival, under the National Enforcement Registration System (NERS), the Bernama news agency reported. "

Through the NERS system that was introduced on June 1, 2011, the data of foreigners will be recorded and stored. The procedure will also fulfil the requirement of the Tourism Ministry to record data and number of tourist arrivals," he said in the statement quoted by the agency. 

Mr Mahmood said the decision was made after consultations with the Immigration Department, Home Ministry and Tourism Ministry, and that the NERS system was a much faster way to record the data of foreigners. 

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Ringgit Malaysia

Malaysian Currency - Ringgit
马来西亚法定货币 - 令吉

Hibiscus - National Flower 国花

National Flower - Hibiscus (Bunga Raya)
国花 － 大红花

Hot spell likely to ease next week

Hot spell likely to ease next week

THE rising temperature now is caused by reduced air humidity and rainfall in the region caused by tropical storm Aere in northern Philippines that blew hot air to the country, said Malaysian Meteorological Department (Met) weather forecasting director Saw Bun Liong.

Saw told Bernama that the current hot spell in the peninsula was only temporary and likely to ease next week.

He said the hot spell was, however, normal in May and the temperatures recorded were lower than during the same period in 1998.

The country has beem experiencing warm weather since May 6. The highest temperature recorded throughout the country since May 6 is 36.2°C.


Cooling off: Children playing at the pool at Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers due to the hot weather recently. — By AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star.

The department will continue to monitor the situation continuously round the clock and will alert the National Security Council if any action needs to be taken.

Saw advised the public to avoid open burning, reduce outdoor activities and drink a lot of water.

According to information posted on the department’s website, Malaysia is now experiencing inter-monsoon season which will last until the end of the month..

During this period the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah will occasionally experience thunderstorms and heavy rain in the afternoon and fair weather over the eastern states of the peninsula.

Subsequently, the South-West Monsoon is expected from June to September. The South-West Mon-soon is comparatively drier throughout the country and this is attributed to relatively stable atmospheric condition due to less intense convective development.

It was also stated that the current La Nina condition is expected to continue weakening in the coming months and the weather will be back to normal by June.

The hot spell has resulted in more people staying indoors and drinking more water and switching on the air-conditioners.

Electrical product retailers like Courts and Harvey Norman confirmed that they had recorded an increase in sale of air-conditioners in recent weeks.

Consumers are spoilt for choice as the retailers are running promotions by air-conditioner brands like Panasonic, York, Mitsubishi and LG.

A spokesman from the Seri Andalas Fire and Rescue Department in Klang said they had received instructions to monitor the Kampung Johan Setia area, which is prone to peat fires during a drought and farmers conducting open burning of jungle waste.

“We have yet to receive any complaints about fires in the area.

“But the department has recorded fewer forest fires this year compared with previous years because we have taken early preventive measures and carry out regular monitoring,” he said.

At press time, Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd could not be contacted for comments on the water level at the dams in Sungai Langat, Klang Gates and Tasik Subang.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Drinks cost the same despite sugar price increase

Drinks to cost the same despite sugar price increase, say restaurant operators

GEORGE TOWN: Muslim restaurants will not be increasing the prices of their drinks although sugar now costs an extra 20 sen per kilo.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said its 3,700 members would not increase the prices of drinks.

“We can easily absorb the cost,” he said yesterday.

He said restaurant operators had already reduced the amount of sugar in drinks following the Government's call for the public to consume less sugar.

“Our customers are also asking for less sugar in their drinks,” he added.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom had announced that the price of coarse and fine sugar would be increased by 20 sen to RM2.30 per kilo.

Coffeeshops in Sibu have also pledged to maintain the prices of their drinks for the time being.

However, Sibu Coffeeshop and Restaurant Owners Association chairman Tong Ing Kok said it would have to consider any appeal from members for a price increase.

“The prices of other ingredients for drinks such as condensed milk, evaporated milk and coffee powder have also increased,” he added.

Tong said the per-carton price of condensed milk had increased from RM124.40 to about RM148 and evaporated milk from RM105.80 to about RM127.

He added that the price of coffee powder had increased from RM17 to RM22 per kilo.

“With or without a price increase, I strongly urge our members to maintain standards and not reduce the quality of their drinks, which can result in them losing customers,” he said, advising members to comply with the association's price list on drinks.

Malaysian Chinese Food Consumers Association vice-chairman Chia Yuk Koay said he had not received any feedback from his members on the sugar price increase.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Security heightens following Osama's death

Malaysia tightens security after Osama's death

KUALA LUMPUR: One day after the US announced that the death of its most wanted man, several governments around the world tightened security against possible retaliation from terror networks linked to Al Qaeda. Malaysia has also heightened security in key areas.

Speaking after meeting the visiting Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Malaysia's Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said a special counter terrorism taskforce is working closely with regional and international intelligence agencies to stay on top of the situation.

Mr Hishamuddin said: "Right now we have not seen any movement that will concern us...I can give assurance as of today there's no concern. Malaysia was never a target at the moment. I believe they have no plan making Malaysia a target."

Malaysia recently set up a joint working committee with India to combat terrorism, arms smuggling, as well as human and drug trafficking. It is also actively sharing information with the US, UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia and China on cross border terror links.

The minister denied that Malaysia is seen as a breeding ground for regional terror networks.

He said: "It was never been seen as breeding ground. There's no room for them to breed, to train terrorism. But the world is porous now. Anywhere they exist, they move, they are mobile, they do end up on our shores and some stayed on."

Still the Malaysian authorities are not taking chances. The police have stepped up security measures at strategic locations in and around the capital, in particular the embassy enclave in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia is also putting in place a better mechanism to screen foreigners at entry checkpoints. This after reports that terror suspects were infiltrating Malaysian schools and institutions of higher learning to recruit students.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

More flights to Langkawi and Penang

More flights to Langkawi and Penang

FIREFLY will be introducing additional flights from Senai International Airport, Johor to Langkawi and Penang, from May 27 to June 12 in conjunction with the coming school holidays.

“This added service will give our southern passengers wiser choices in spending valuable time with their children. It serves as a perfect opportunity for families to take a break and head up north to Langkawi for a family holiday,” said Firefly head of marketing and communications Angelina Fernandez.

Firefly also offers flights between Johor Baru and Kuching, and between Johor Baru and Kota Kinabalu.

The flights will commence operations on May 19 and June 16 respectively. Both sectors will have a frequency of 14 flights weekly.

For details, visit www.fireflyz.com.my

-News courtesy of The Star-

Bike race all set to go

Bike race all set to go

KEDAH lass Masziyaton Mohd Radzi will lead the Malaysian women challenge at the inaugural TM-Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge which starts today.

Masziyaton, 22, who is the top female mountain bike rider in the country, will take part in both the 4.3km Olympic Cross Country race today and the 8.5km Endurance race tomorrow.

“It’s going to be a challenge for me and the other riders as well because of the new tracks,” she said yesterday.

Joining her in the competition are her siblings, Mardiana, 17, and Mohd Ayub, 18.

The three siblings are among the 130 competitors who have signed up for the two-day com-petition.

The youngest participant is Cassian Rausch, 12, the son of expatriates living in Selangor, while the oldest rider is Beswich Hydn, 65, who lives in Lang- kawi.

The 130 participants, including riders from Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand, checked in for the competition at Kampung Tok Senik yesterday.

There are a mix of recreational and competition cyclists.

Many of the riders took the opportunity to test the tracks yesterday.

The cross country event will start at Kampung Tok Senik today while the endurance event will start at Telaga Harbour Park tomorrow.

Organising chairman and Human Voyage (M) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Malik Mydin said he had received good feedback from the cyclists.

“I am happy that the two professional cyclists taking part in the event said that this is the best track that they have ever tried in Asia,” he said.

Kedah mountain biker Asyaraaf Shaari, 19, said he was happy to get a chance to compete with foreign cyclists in the cross country event.

Asyaraaf, who recently won first place at the Bukit Kiara downhill challenge in the hard trail category, said this would be the first time he competed at international level.

Prizes totalling RM250,000 are up for grabs.

Telekom Malaysia Bhd is the title sponsor of the event.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Visa free for Malaysia

No visa is required for U.S.A. citizens visiting Malaysia for social, business or academic purposes (except for employment).

No visa is required for a stay of less than one month for nationals of all ASEAN countries except Myanmar. For a stay exceeding one month a visa will be required, except for nationals Brunei and Singapore.

Nationals of countries other than those stated above (with the exception of Israel) are allowed to enter Malaysia without a visa for a visit not exceeding one month.

For national of Israel, visas are required and permission must be granted from Ministry Of Home Affairs.

For national of Republic of Serbia and Republic of Montenegro, visas are required without permission granted from Ministry Of Home Affairs.

Visa for Malaysia (2)

Countries That Require Visa For a Stay Exceeding 3 Months

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria (Vienna)
Bahrain
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Brazil
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kirgystan
Kuwait
Kyrgyz Republic Lebanon
Lienchestien
Luxembourg
Morocco
Netherland
Norway
Oman
Peru
Poland
Qatar
Romania
St Marino
Saudi Arabia
Slovakia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Yemen

Countries That Require Visa For a Stay Exceeding 1 Month

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Barbados
Belarus
Benin
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Cape Verde
Chad
Chile
Costa Rica
Equador
El Savador
Estonia
Gabon
Georgia
Greece
Guatemala
Guinea Republic
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong SAR
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Macao SAR
Macedonia Madagascar
Maldova
Mauritania
Mexico
Monaco
Mongalia
Nicaragua
North Korea
North Yemen
Panama
Paraguay
Portugal
Russia
Sao Tome & Principe
Senegal
Slovenia
Sudan
Surinam
Tajikistan
Togo
Ukraine
Upper Volta
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Venezuela
Zaire
Zimbabwe

Countries That Require Visa For a Stay Exceeding 14 Days

Iran (90 days)
Iraq (30 days)
Libya
Macao (Travel Permit/Portugal CI)
Palestine (30 days)
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Yemen
Syria (30 days)

Visa for Malaysia (1)

Countries That Require Visa

Afghanistan (Visa With Reference)
Angola
Bhutan
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Central African Republic
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo Democratic Republic
Congo Republic
Cote D'Ivoire
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea Ethiopia
Guinea-Bissau
Hong Kong (C/I or D/I)
India
Liberia
Mali
Myanmar (normal passport)
Nepal
Niger
Rwanda
Serbia & Montenegro
Taiwan
United Nations (Laissez Passer)
Western Sahara

Commonwealth Countries That Require Visa

Bangladesh
Cameroon
Ghana
Mozambique
Nigeria
Pakistan
Sri Lanka

Entry requirements for Malaysia

To enter Malaysia, a visitor should fulfill the following conditions:

i. Passport or Travel Document

Every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid national Passport or internationally recognized Travel Document valid for travelling to Malaysia.

Any person not in possession of a Passport or Travel Document which is recognized by the Malaysian Government must obtain a Document in lieu of Passport.

Application for the Document in lieu of Passport can be made at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad.

Holders of Travel Documents such as Certificate of Identity, Laisser Passer, Titre de Voyage, Permanent Residence Certificate must ensure that their return ability to the country of origin is assured.

The documents shall be valid, for more than six (6) months from the date of entry.

ii. Fulfill visa requirement

A visa is an endorsement in a passport or other recognized travel document of foreigner indicating that the holder has applied for permission to enter Malaysia and that permission has been granted.

Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad before entering the country.

Visa which has been granted is not absolute guarantee that the holder will be allowed to enter Malaysia. The final decision lies with the Immigration Officer at the entry point.

iii. Valid return travel ticket and sufficient funds

A visitor is also required to proof his financial ability to stay in Malaysia and a confirm ticket to a third country.

iv. Not a prohibited person

Any person classified under Section 8 of Immigration Act 1959/63 will not be allowed to enter Malaysia even though he/she is in possession of a valid Passport or Travel Document, Visa, travel ticket and sufficient funds.

v. Complete in the arrival/departure card

A visitor is required to complete the Arrival/Departure Card (Imm.26) upon arrival at the gazette entry points. This card is obtainable at any entry point, Malaysian Representative office abroad or travel agencies.

A visitor must present his/her passport together with the duly completed arrival / departure card to the Immigration officer on duty and he/she must ensure that the passport or travel document is endorsed with the appropriate pass before leaving the immigration counter.

-Info courtesy of Malaysian Immigration Dept-