Sarawak Consumers Association urges tighter controls on visa-free entry and fraud

The Sarawak Consumers Association (PPS) has called for stricter enforcement and monitoring of Malaysia’s visa-free entry facilities to prevent misuse for illegal work, unauthorized business, and consumer fraud. While supporting visa-free entry for Chinese nationals to boost tourism and trade, PPS president Dr. Wynson Ong Teck Ping emphasized that compliance with Malaysian law must be strictly enforced regardless of nationality.

The association highlighted a specific trend of home repair scams advertised on social media. Scammers reportedly offer free services, such as leak inspections or tile assessments, only to charge consumers thousands of ringgit for repairs. In many instances, victims reported issues with work permits, payments made to personal bank accounts, and service providers becoming unreachable after receiving payment.

Additionally, PPS is advocating for tougher penalties for online fraud, arguing that current fines—sometimes as low as RM3,000 to RM5,000—are insufficient to deter organized crime. The association urged better information-sharing between the Royal Malaysia Police, the Immigration Department, and other enforcement agencies to address these growing concerns.