THE government is prepared to issue immediate approval for chartered flights into the country in order to attract tourists, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 

Speaking at the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry’s (MOTAC) Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house celebrations today, Anwar said the decision was in line with the government’s efforts to help MOTAC attract tourists to the country. 

“Issues involving the technical aspects have been sorted. Issues of visa, I have discussed with the home minister. 

“At the initial stage, what we can expedite is approval for ‘chartered flights’,” he said. 

In February, Tiong through a Facebook posting had suggested that local airlines carry out research on the possibility of developing special chartered flights to Malaysia to attract foreign tourists.

Describing the tourism industry as a main revenue earner, Anwar said the government would consider suggestions from MOTAC. 

“Whatever action that is suitable, must be given due consideration… to attract tourists to Malaysia,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Tiong said for the first quarter of the year, 4.38 million foreign tourists had entered the country and from the total, 178,150 were tourists from China. – Bernama, May 15, 2023.