M'sia confident US visa waiver will continue under Trump administration

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is confident that the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) with the United States will be accepted by the new administration under President Donald Trump.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in stating that almost all requirements have been fulfilled, said that there is no reason to reject the programme.
"Although Trump's administration has new policies, matters that have been discussed by the Malaysian and US governments previously will be given continuity.
"I am confident that this administration will implement several agreements and maintain the understanding that both governments have had all these while especially in continuing the VWP, which has fulfilled the conditions of the US State Department," he told a press conference here after pinning ranks on top Rela officials.
Ahmad Zahid said the only condition that Malaysia is yet to fulfill in the VWP is the percentage of rejected applications for US visas.
"Currently it stands at 3.7%, exceeding the requirement of less than 3% by the US. So we only have 0.7% to fulfill the requirement. Hopefully this will be considered and accepted by the US," he said.
Malaysia will be able to participate in the programme by late 2018 if the percentage drops to below 3% throughout the fiscal year.
He said this was one of the matters discussed with US Ambassador-Designate to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir during her courtesy call to the Home Ministry earlier today.
Ahmad Zahid said he had also conveyed a strong message in counter-terrorism efforts between the countries which will not be compromised.
Meanwhile 38 senior officials of the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) received the honorary ranks as a recognition of their services to the country from Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister.