04 February 2014, Male';Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ms. Dunya Maumoon, has today met with the staff of the Maldivian High Commission, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Minister was received at the High Commission by the acting High Commissioner of Maldives to Malaysia, Mr. Mohamed Fahmy Hassan.
Minister Dunya is on a one day, working visit to Kuala Lumpur.
At the High Commission, the Minister met with the staff and received a briefing on the current workings and issues relevant to the administration of the High Commission in Malaysia.In her remarks, the Minister underscored that one of the main goals of the Maldives foreign policy is providing quality consular services to Maldivians living abroad. In this regard, the Minister noted that Malaysia is host to a large number of Maldivians and thus, highlighted that the Mission continue its good work in providing quality services to Maldivians living in Malaysia..
During her visit, the Minister, is also scheduled to host a function for a group of Maldivians currently living in Malaysia. The Minister will hold discussions with Maldivians on the challenges faced by Maldivians in their travel and stay in Malaysia. The function will take place at the High Commission premises.
Further to recent amendments brought to the immigration policy, the Immigration Department of Malaysia now requires all international students wishing to study in the country to apply for an Entry Visa upon receiving approval for their Student Visas. Minister Dunya, in order to address this issue, has facilitated for such Maldivian students to process their visas via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs without requiring traveling to Colombo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised such students to apply for their Entry Visas at least 10 days in advance to the Ministry in order to ensure smooth process.
ENDS.