Noted & Quoted in: New Straits Times, January 23, 2006
Concern raised over ‘facilitation visa'
Noted & Quoted in: New Straits Times
Noted & Quoted by: Devinder Singh
Although Malaysia doesn't allow dual citizenship, some Malaysian-born emigrants with Canadian citizenship have been able to continue using their Malaysian passports to enter and leave their adoptive country, by means of a "facilitation visa" issued by the Canadian High Commission.
Recently-appointed High Commissioner to Malaysia David G. Summers has raised the matter in a memorandum to his head office in Canada.
Summers is uncomfortable that some of his officials are issuing the facilitation visa in the knowledge that recipients are breaking Malaysian law.
The memorandum, also circulated to staff at the mission, questioned the rationale behind the facilitation visa.
Canadian newspaper The Asian Pacific Post highlighted the issue in a report on Tuesday that Canadian diplomats here were helping Malaysians maintain dual citizenship.
The Vancouver-based newspaper said the memorandum entitled "Canada facilitating criminal violation of foreign laws?" in part read:
"I (Summers) have been trying for some time to understand the reason behind the creation of the facilitation visa.
"Malaysia, like Poland, does not recognise dual citizenship. Moreover, should local authorities find out that a Malaysian has another citizenship, they will move to strip this person of his Malaysian citizenship."
Summers, in the memorandum, advised applicants to straighten their status and make a choice between Malaysian and Canadian citizenship.
He said that he did not want the mission to be seen as helping people commit a crime in Malaysia. (Malaysians need a normal visa to enter Canada, issued only to non-Canadians.)
A spokesman for the mission here said the facilitation visa was only issued in particular circumstances to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
"The visa is stamped on the foreign passport of the Canadian citizen, allowing him to enter Canada on a foreign passport," said Second Secretary (media relations) Che Venhaastrecht.
He said Canadian legislation allowed for dual citizenship, and Canadians could travel with either a Canadian passport or the passport of their country of origin.
"The onus is on the individuals concerned to ensure they are not in violation of Malaysian laws."
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New Straits Times |
Recently-appointed High Commissioner to Malaysia David G. Summers has raised the matter in a memorandum to his head office in Canada.
Summers is uncomfortable that some of his officials are issuing the facilitation visa in the knowledge that recipients are breaking Malaysian law.
The memorandum, also circulated to staff at the mission, questioned the rationale behind the facilitation visa.
Canadian newspaper The Asian Pacific Post highlighted the issue in a report on Tuesday that Canadian diplomats here were helping Malaysians maintain dual citizenship.
The Vancouver-based newspaper said the memorandum entitled "Canada facilitating criminal violation of foreign laws?" in part read:
"I (Summers) have been trying for some time to understand the reason behind the creation of the facilitation visa.
"Malaysia, like Poland, does not recognise dual citizenship. Moreover, should local authorities find out that a Malaysian has another citizenship, they will move to strip this person of his Malaysian citizenship."
Summers, in the memorandum, advised applicants to straighten their status and make a choice between Malaysian and Canadian citizenship.
He said that he did not want the mission to be seen as helping people commit a crime in Malaysia. (Malaysians need a normal visa to enter Canada, issued only to non-Canadians.)
A spokesman for the mission here said the facilitation visa was only issued in particular circumstances to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
"The visa is stamped on the foreign passport of the Canadian citizen, allowing him to enter Canada on a foreign passport," said Second Secretary (media relations) Che Venhaastrecht.
He said Canadian legislation allowed for dual citizenship, and Canadians could travel with either a Canadian passport or the passport of their country of origin.
"The onus is on the individuals concerned to ensure they are not in violation of Malaysian laws."
