Bangkok--Sep 30--eTurbo news
JOHOR BARU, Malaysia (eTurboNews) — Criminals are facilitating the entry Indonesians whose intention is to stay illegally upon the expiration of their two-week visa, a tourism conference held in the southern state of Malaysia uncovered.
“I was informed by tour operators there are syndicates operating at the entry points helping them enter the country legally as tourists, but with the intention of looking for employment, mainly in remote plantations where they cannot be traced by the authorities,” revealed Freddie Long Hook Hen, officer-in-charge for tourism and environment in Johor State.
To gain entry as tourists, syndicates allegedly charge between MYR50 (US$13) to MYR100 (US$26) in exchange for a “temporary” loan of MYR700 (US$182), a mandatory amount required of tourists as proof before a two-week visa is granted. Upon entry, Indonesians return the “temporary” loan.
“We informed the authorities repeatedly but we are yet to see any positive action taken by the authorities,” claimed a community leader from the area. “We know of the existence of at least 20 syndicates catering to Indonesians who wish to enter Malaysia.”
The “missing” tourists intentionally overstay for jobs, which are readily available in the country, then resort to illegal means when they decide to return to Indonesia, or eventually become illegal foreign workers, if not apprehended by authorities.
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