BACK TO FILLING UP CARDS

After making it unnecessary for tourists arriving from China, the embarkation card is still in use, the Tourism Ministry clarified yesterday. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the Immigration Department had not done away with the embarkation card as earlier reported but was still in discussion with the ministry to decide the timeline to abolish the embarkation card, possibly this year. “The embarkation cards or white cards are for us to do data and statistical collections and conduct analysis. With the big influx of tourists to Malaysia and a better system to gather data now, the cards are not the only source of information,” Ng said after launching the inaugural Malaysia International Tourism Bloggers Conference and Awards yesterday. Local daily theSun earlier reported that the Immigration Department had quietly abolished the embarkation card since February due to the implementation of the biometric system introduced in conjunction with the Home Ministry’s 6P legalising programme for foreign workers and illegal immigrants. Ng said more details will be announced in a joint press conference with the Immigration Department later.