PETALING JAYA: The decision to allow selected travellers, including students, to travel overseas without the MyTravelPass has been commended by the Transport Minister.

       "I am sure this decision during this difficult time would do much to ease the travel of Malaysians who are heading overseas for work opportunities, examinations, business meetings, or for family emergencies.

       "This decision also means that it can help our airlines and aviation partners continue on the path to recovery from the pandemic," said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong in a statement on his Facebook page on Wednesday (Sept 29).

       He added that he would be meeting the Malaysian Aviation Commission on Thursday (Sept 30) to update the Economic Action Council (EAC) on the current status of the aviation industry and present plans to help alleviate the impact of the pandemic on the industry.

       "We will also propose measures for industry sustainability in the short, medium and long terms which includes more domestic travel bubbles, inter-state travel, and ways to approach reopening the umrah travel market for fully vaccinated travellers," he said.

       Immigration director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud, in a statement on Wednesday announced that Malaysians travelling overseas who fall under one of seven categories no longer need to apply for permission to leave the country via MyTravelPass beginning Oct 1.

       "The categories include students who were given a place in overseas universities and two persons accompanying them; students leaving the country to resume their studies and two persons accompanying them and students sitting for exams overseas and the two escorts," he said.