Full immigration check on travellers via Labuan Airport next month

Bernama | April 27, 2017

Immigration check implemented to monitor the inflow and outflow of travellers via the airport.
imigresen-check-labuanLABUAN: Beginning May 2, those travelling to and from the duty-free-island here via the Labuan Airport will be subject to a full immigration check.

The first ever implementation of the immigration check at the airport is aimed at enhancing and strengthening security at the airport’s entry and exit.
Labuan immigration director Ahmad Ali said it was in line with the government’s efforts to preserve national sovereignty.

He said since 2014, more than 300 cases under the Immigration Act, Passport Act and National Registration Department Act were committed at the Labuan Airport.

“Despite implementation of (100%) immigration checks at the Labuan Airport, the free flow of travellers to the island will not be jeopardised,” he told a press conference here today.

According to Ahmad, Labuan MP Rozman Isli had highlighted the need to monitor the inflow and outflow of travellers via the airport in previous Parliament sessions.

He said in 2014, the immigration office was opened at the airport following the MP’s call. Random checks were also conducted on travellers.

“However, following a number of arrests involving those who travelled via Labuan Airport, we applied for a full domestic travellers’ immigration check at the airport, and it was approved and has been in effect since April 10.”

Ahmad said the immigration check on travellers via Labuan Airport had not been conducted since December 2009, in line with the Immigration (Exemption) Order for the Sabah and Sarawak sector (Free Flow).