KUALA LUMPUR APRIL 9: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla, Thailand has affirmed that 2,439 Malaysians who wished to return home have received assistance from the Consulate.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, based on the records, to date only 72 Malaysians holding Border Passes have registered with the Consulate General and this is part of 444 Malaysians who have registered with the Consulate.
However the Ministry agreed that there were difficulties faced by Malaysians following the closure of the borders since March 2020 and the Thailand Government on February 2021 has announced all foreigners with tourist visas/short term to leave the country or will be penalised.
“Following the announcement, Malaysian Consulate General in Songkhla has assisted in the renewals of Malaysian International Passport (PMA) and visas for those who wish to extend their stay in Thailand. The Emergency Certificate has also been released to the holders’ of Border Passes with expired validity date to enable them to return to Malaysia,” the Ministry said in a statement here today.
The Ministry has issued this statement following the media report in Thailand alleging 10,000 Malaysians have become illegal immigrants (PATI) in the country as a result of those using Malaysia-Thailand Border Passes could not return when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in March 2020 and the closure of the international border due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry said, based on the earlier study, the allegation of 10,000 Malaysians still staying illegally in Thailand or overstay have no basis.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to advise the Malaysian citizen in Thailand who has been impacted as the result of the border closures of the two countries and travel document that has been expired to be present at the Consulate General Office in Songkhla beginning 8th April 2022 to enable the Consulate General to extend consular’s assistance.
“Any further enquiries on the matter could be forwarded directly to the Consulate General Malaysia via Consulate General Malaysia at Songkhla, Thailand, No.4 Sukhum Road, Muang District Songkhla, Thailand 90000, tel: (6674) 311062/316274 ,” the statement added. –Malaysia World News
