PUTRAJAYA: The time taken to process a MyTravelPass (MTP) application has to be increased to 14 days from seven due to the high number of applications received, said Immigration director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

       The increase in the number of business travellers follows the reopening of many more economic sectors, he added.

       The MTP was introduced by the Immigra-tion Department on Oct 7, 2020, whereby applications to enter and exit this country for Malaysian citizens and foreign nationals must be made through the system.

       Responding to reports claiming that the MTP has caused delays in exiting and entering Malaysia, Khairul Dzaimee said enforcement of the MTP was to control movements and curb the spread of Covid-19.

       “The MTP enforcement has proven its effectiveness up to Aug this year.

       “The recorded imported positive cases of Covid-19 was less than 0.4% from the total number of cases in Malaysia,” he said in a statement.

       Up until Sept 10 this year, the Immigration Department has received 356,510 applications. Out of this number, 6,697 applications were cancelled; 208,509 approved and 127,465 rejected.

       “The number of applications processed during a set period is 13,000, and is managed by three task forces under the Immigration Department. The number has not gone down but has in fact, increased by the day,” he said.

       Khairul Dzaimee also advised the public to be aware of the latest announcements and rules made by the government, and to check on the latest developments and related procedures in order to understand the set conditions when applying for the MTP before planning to travel abroad.

       “Careful evaluation also has to be made to curb the spread of Covid-19 in this country,” he said, adding that the Immigration Department would continue improving the MTP system to facilitate travel out and into the country. — Bernama