KUALA LUMPUR: The government should set up 24-hour service counters at KLIA1 and KLIA2 terminals to assist persons barred from leaving the country due to unpaid taxes or insolvency issues, says a Barisan Nasional leader.
Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (BN-Tapah) highlighted the plight of many travellers who were unaware of their outstanding tax arrears and faced unexpected travel restrictions after planning trips abroad.
"If this issue arises during office hours, they can usually resolve it.
"However, many encounter these problems at night and are unable to contact the relevant officers," he said while debating the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 4).
Saravanan noted that it was important that the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the Insolvency Department set up 24-hour counters at the airport terminals to address these concerns to prevent travellers from becoming stranded.
The Insolvency Department oversees individuals under bankruptcy orders, including imposing travel bans by placing their names on the Immigration Department’s blacklist.
In September, the LHDN advised taxpayers to check their travel restriction status in advance before deciding to travel abroad to avoid the last-minute stress of being stranded at airports due to tax arrears.
As of Dec 31, 2023, LHDN said there were 12,846 cases of travel restrictions involving company directors and 179,719 cases involving individuals.
