Do away with entry requirement to enter Sarawak, says state minister

KUCHING: The Sarawak disaster management committee should no longer impose further entry requirements for interstate travel now that it has lifted the need for police permits, says state Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

While welcoming the announcement that interstate travel is permitted, he lamented that any form of movement restriction was a hindrance to tourism.

"I'm not happy with the other requirements that the Sarawak government is putting to enter Sarawak.

"I don't see the basis for it. The police have done their part, why do we need to have these requirements to enter Sarawak?" he told a press conference here on Monday (Oct 11).

Karim was commenting on the state disaster management committee's announcement on Sunday (Oct 10) that fully vaccinated individuals can travel to Sarawak from other states without a police permit, in line with the Federal Government's decision to allow interstate travel.

However, the committee said individuals travelling to the state must still apply for entry via EnterSarawak online with proof of their vaccination status.

They also need to submit negative PCR or antigen test results from a health clinic or laboratory within three days of departure.

Karim said the state should allow fully vaccinated individuals to enter from within Malaysia without the need for further requirements.

"You don't need (these requirements) to enter Sarawak, the way I see it. Just show that you have received two doses of the vaccine and you are free to enter.

"Now the Malaysian government has put aside the need for the MyTravelPass for Malaysians to travel overseas, so why is Sarawak still putting all these conditions?" he said, adding that the requirements would hinder tourists from coming to Sarawak.