Tourism Body Defends Visa-Free Policy, Says Illegal Work by Tourists Is Rare and Must Be Penalized
The Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (Mita) has dismissed claims that the country’s visa-free policy is allowing foreign nationals to flood the market and harm local small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Instead, the association insists that abuses of tourist visas are limited and should be dealt with through stronger enforcement rather than scrapping visitor-friendly policies.
Mita president Mint Leong voiced full support for the government’s tough stance against foreigners who misuse tourist visas to work illegally in Malaysia. She emphasized that such violations are not tied to any single nationality but are a broader issue that requires firm legal action.
“Foreign nationals found to be illegally working in key sectors under the guise of tourism should face stricter penalties,” Leong said, stressing that Malaysia must protect both its workforce and its tourism reputation.
She pushed back against allegations from some SMEs that visa-free travel encourages foreigners to “invade” the local market and compete unfairly. According to her, these concerns are based on isolated incidents rather than a systemic problem.
Leong highlighted that Malaysia’s visa-free arrangements with China and India have significantly boosted tourism, business activity, and employment. Citing Home Ministry data, she noted that out of 3.45 million Chinese visitors in 2025, only 418 were arrested for abusing social visit passes — a tiny 0.013 percent of total arrivals.
She also pointed out that inbound tourism supports more than two million jobs nationwide, from hotels and transport to food businesses and tour operators, making the sector a critical pillar of Malaysia’s economy.
With Visit Malaysia 2026 already underway, Mita is calling for stronger collaboration between government agencies and industry players. The association is also urging the government to extend multi-country visa-free policies that are set to expire at the end of this year.