Malaysia targets to be the third ASEAN country accepted into the United States Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) through the implementation of the National Immigration Control System or SKIN (Sistem Kawalan Imigresen Nasional) by 2021.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government was optimistic of achieving this mission following the acceptance of Brunei and Singapore into the VWP after implementing the same immigration control system.
"In this matter, so far 38 countries have implemented the system, with all having managed to reduce the risk of entry of negative elements from outside and these countries have obtained the visa waiver from the US.
"At the moment, only two ASEAN countries, Brunei and Singapore, have got it (visa waiver). We hope to be the third ASEAN country to obtain it after implementing the system (SKIN)," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif in the Dewan Negara today.
Ahmad Zahid said the government was optimistic that the implementation of SKIN would help Malaysia to be accepted into the VWP as to date, it had fulfilled six of the seven conditions set to get the visa waiver.
Early this year, Ahmad Zahid was quoted in news reports as saying that only one condition had not been met yet, that was, a visa rejection of less than three per cent while Malaysia's rejection rate was currently at 3.7 per cent, which meant 0.7 per cent more to go.
To the original question from Senator Datuk Bashir Alias on the advantages of SKIN, he said the implementation of the system could assist the Home Ministry and its agencies to tackle cross-border crime and human smuggling in a systematic and integrated manner.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said SKIN would be integrated into all the existing immigration systems including the Malaysia Immigration System (MyIMMs) and it was expected to generate additional income of about RM800 million for the government after 12 years of operation.
He said while the implementation of SKIN would be in four years' time, the ministry was always improving the existing system since 20 years ago to ensure the country's border entry points were safe from infiltration of undesirable elements.
To another question on the need to build a Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at certain locations along the border areas, especially along the 'rat' trails such as at Mundok in Kelantan, Ahmad Zahid said the Home Ministry was seriously viewing that need.
"I wish to inform on the potential of CIQ complexes to be built in such areas to 'legalise' the illegal (rat) trails which have become 'elephant' trails.
"We will ask the team to study and ensure that these routes become entry/exit points for those with (valid) documents and where there is control and a tax system, so that the smuggling of arms or subsidised goods can be monitored and prevented."
However, he said, the effort required close cooperation of the state government leaders concerned by setting aside political differences in the interest of the country's border security.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Aug 17 2017
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government was optimistic of achieving this mission following the acceptance of Brunei and Singapore into the VWP after implementing the same immigration control system. - Filepic/BERNAMA
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu
Menurut PGOB kesemua mangsa yang cedera telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Bintulu untuk rawatan lanjut.
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar yang ditemukan di Sungai Klang petang tadi dibawa ke Unit Forensik Hospital Shah Alam (HSA) untuk urusan bedah siasat.
PRK Nenggiri: Ahmad Zahid sedia siasat dakwaan BN guna aset kerajaan
Ahmad Zahid sedia melakukan siasatan berhubung dakwaan bahawa jentera BN menggunakan aset kerajaan semasa berkempen bagi PRK Nenggiri.
Olimpik Paris 2024: Bawa pulang pingat atau tidak, perjuangan atlet di Paris dihargai - Ahmad Zahid
Ahmad Zahid berkata kejayaan para atlet bukan sahaja diukur melalui pencapaian pingat, tetapi juga melalui semangat juang dan usaha keras yang telah ditunjukkan.
Malaysia kekal bersolidariti, tuntut pembebasan rakyat Palestin
Perjuangan menuntut pembebasan Palestin kini bukan hanya merupakan perjuangan orang Islam, sebaliknya membabitkan perjuangan sejagat.
Ahmad Zahid sokong cadangan UMNO diberi kerusi di Parlimen Kota Raja
Ahmad Zahid berkata cadangan itu sesuai dengan realiti politik semasa yang dibina atas dasar kefahaman antara parti dalam Kerajaan Perpaduan.
Kerajaan akan bina institusi TVET di Gua Musang - Ahmad Zahid
Kerajaan akan membina Institusi Pendidikan dan Latihan Teknikal dan Vokasional (TVET) di Gua Musang.
PRK Nenggiri: Jentera BN akan perjelas isu subsidi diesel, elak fitnah pembangkang - Ahmad Zahid
Ahmad Zahid berkata bagi sebarang fitnah yang dibuat, penjelasan akan dibuat kembali oleh jentera parti, dan penerangan berhubung isu berkenaan akan diperhebatkan.
200 pelajar India dihantar ke China belajar TVET - Ahmad Zahid
Kerajaan akan menghantar 200 pelajar kaum India mengikuti kursus Pendidikan dan Latihan Teknikal dan Vokasional (TVET) ke China, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Tiada perbincangan rasmi UMNO, Pas bentuk kerjasama - Ahmad Zahid
Presiden UMNO Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi menegaskan bahawa tiada pertemuan atau perbincangan rasmi antara parti itu dengan Pas, bagi membentuk kerjasama pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-16 (PRU16).
Manfaat tanah terbiar, tanam bahan dan ramuan untuk penghasilan produk halal - Ahmad Zahid
Majlis Halal Malaysia sedang mengkoordinasi usaha bersama pihak negeri dan agensi kerajaan agar tanah terbiar dapat digunakan untuk memperluas penanaman.
Sebanyak 1,038 tempat TVET yang ditawar oleh MCI sudah diisi - Ahmad Zahid
Ahmad Zahid berkata inisiatif itu akan memberikan kemahiran dalam menggunakan peralatan teknologi tinggi kepada pelajar Malaysia.