A Warning to MAS: Observe Immigration Procedures

15th Dec 2015

Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed chided Malaysia Airlines (MAS) for failing to properly observe immigration checkup procedures when its planes and passengers are arriving in Malaysia.

The carrier was reprimanded because of an incident which happened a few days ago when one of its planes traveling from Yangon in Myanmar to Kuala Lumpur had to detour to the Langkawi International Airport due to bad weather.

Only 32 of 135 Passengers Went Through the Immigration Checkup at Langkawi Airport

According to the deputy minister, of a total of 135 passengers on board the MAS MH741, only 32 went through the required immigration check at the Langkawi International Airport, including Malaysians.

Deputy Minister said in that regard:

We understand the aircraft had to detour to Langkawi, but when in Langkawi, procedures required passengers on international flight to be processed, like stamping of their passport, but this was not observed.

He also added to the reporters:

Subsequently, the aircraft flew to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on a domestic flight, and from there, the passengers entered the country as domestic passengers.

Mr. Jazlan did not provide any more details regarding the incident. He did say, however, that the responsibility of making sure the passengers go through immigration procedures after their international flight arrives at the airport falls on the carrier whose plane brought them there.

Deputy Minister Meets With MAHB

Deputy Minister yesterday also met with representatives of the Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to discuss the issue of passengers entering Malaysia illegally via its airports. After the meeting, he said that preventing illegal entry of foreigners into Malaysia is the responsibility of all sides involved.

He said:

Airline companies should also play their role by ensuring passengers on their international flight go through the immigration check, even if there are technical problems and others.

Most international airports have upped their security following the Paris terrorist attacks in November.