The government is not in the position to interfere with Malaysia’s US$ 57 fee for a work visa for a Myanmar worker, said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kyaw Tin.
During a parliamentary meeting of the Upper House held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, MP Hla Hsan for Magway Region Constituency (1) said the visa fee for Malaysia increased to US$ 57 as of January 18, 2016 though it had previously cost US$ 6. The MP asked the Myanmar Government to review the one-stop service system that collects the fees, or alternately to end the current system. He also questioned how much the government earns in tax in such cases.
“Malaysia’s increased visa fees falls within Malaysia’s jurisdiction. So, the Myanmar government is not in the position to interfere with that. We are not happy that our Myanmar workers have to pay more. Our ministry cannot interfere as this is the decision of the Malaysian government. The tax goes to the Malaysian government. Moreover, Diamond Palace, a partner service provider (of the one-stop centre) will gain profits from those services. If the Ministry of Planning and Finance enforces taxes on such companies, the money our workers have to pay will also go to the government budget,” said Kyaw Tin.
The deputy minister said the one-stop service centre for going to Malaysia is not permitted by Myanmar. It was launched by the Malaysian home affairs ministry and the Malaysian embassy in Yangon. He also quoted the embassy as saying that the Malaysian government allowed a Malaysian company and its partner Diamond Palace Group to open the centre for issuing visas.
Source: Eleven Myanmar
