Hongkongers can now stay in Malaysia for 90 days without visa, city may set up new trade office in Kuala Lumpur
- During visit by Hong Kong leader John Lee, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim says passport holders from city can stay in country visa-free for 90 days, up from 30
- Anwar also announces new policy framework to ‘elevate status and dignity of nation’; plans to turn Malaysia into one of world’s top 30 economies within a decade
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday also said Lee had informed him Hong Kong could open a trade office in Kuala Lumpur to strengthen ties, which would add the Malaysian city to a list that included Dubai, London, New York and Tokyo.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, culture, tourism and transit rail systems during their meeting in Putrajaya, the administrative capital.
Anwar said on his Facebook page that Hong Kong passport holders were now entitled to stay in Malaysia visa-free for up to 90 days, up from the previous 30 days, and the policy was effective from June 28.
“This will be able to contribute to a boost in business and tourism activities, as well as people-to-people exchanges,” he said.
Lee thanked the Malaysian government for relaxing its visa requirements, which would provide “greater entry facilitation” for passport holders, according to a statement issued by the Hong Kong government. The Immigration Department also confirmed the new arrangement.
The chairman of Hong Kong’s Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, welcomed the longer period extension, saying “we can have all the time to do business in Malaysia”.