KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Security has conducted an investigation into the issue of tourist overstay in the country.
The committee said a proceeding attended by ex-officios of the Home Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the National Security Council was also conducted, today.
"The committee has also summoned representatives from the Home Ministry and the Immigration Department to provide explanations on factors contributing to the increasing numbers of tourists overstay, as well as measures to address the issue.
"Representatives from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) were also summoned to explain the procedures and monitoring of activities of unregistered tour agents," it said in a statement, today.
The proceeding was led by Datuk Jonathan Yasin (GRS-Ranau) and seven other members of parliament, namely Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan), Datuk Anyi Ngau (GPS-Baram), Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong), Pang Hok Liong (PH-Labis), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang), Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) and Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh).
Meanwhile, the committee said the proceeding had also provided opportunities for the committee to review procedures conducted by the Immigration Department at the country's entry points.
"This will also allow Motac to regulate the activities of unregistered tour agents that have brought tourists into the country, consequently contributing to the number of tourists.
"(Hence,) the committee is committed to playing a check-and-balance role to the executive body (in addressing the tourist overstay issue)."