KOTA KINABALU: Travellers to Malaysia are advised to adhere to regulations under the Immigration Act, including Not to Land (NTL) notices and Cooling Off periods.
Sabah Immigration Department director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof warned that travellers who fail to comply with these requirements face deportation.
This follows a news article about an Australian couple who claimed they were held without a proper explanation at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) Immigration area, rather than being allowed to return to their rented home in Sabah upon arrival on Nov 17.
John Joseph Gorton, 78, and his wife Noel Gail Gorton, 80, said they arrived at KKIA from Manila after spending a month outside the state for business and visa renewal purposes.
John stated they had spent nearly 10 years in Sabah operating a rental apartment and returned to close their business.
He claimed they reentered Malaysia using a 'new requirement' of a valid Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), as stated on the gov.my website from Jan 1, 2024.
He also alleged that an Immigration officer was rude when they sought an explanation on why they were not allowed to enter Sabah.
To make matters worse, their passports were stamped as ‘forbidden immigrants’, John further claimed.
Sitti clarified that investigations found the couple had been issued an NTL notice on Oct 25 and were informed of the 30-day cooling off period, but they returned on Nov 17.
Travellers who fail to comply with the 30-day cooling off period will receive an NTL notice and must return to their last point of embarkation before arriving in Malaysia.
The airline they arrived on is responsible for sending them back to their last embarkation point.
Sitti noted that flight system records showed the couple’s tickets back to their country of origin were cancelled on Oct 17, before their arrival in Sabah on Nov 17.
She cautioned the public against spreading slanderous information and stated that the department would not hesitate to take action against those who do so.
The Immigration Department is committed to providing the best services to Malaysians and visitors, she said.
For complaints or suggestions, individuals can contact the department via https://imi.spab.gov.my/ or email unitaduanints@imi.gov.my or korp_sbh@imi.gov.my.
