Compulsory insurance for M’sian travellers in the offing

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Tourism Ministry is mulling over the

possibility of making travel insurance compulsory for all overseas

travellers.



Many Malaysians do not buy travel insurance.



As this move would involve an amendment in the Tourism Act, it might

take some time, Deputy tourism minister Datuk Donald Lim said yesterday at the launch of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agencies (MATTA)

Medi Evac Insurance scheme.



The scheme is a cashless insurance that covers medical, repatriation

and hospitalisation costs of up to RM100,000 (US$29, 112).



MATTA president Ngiam Foon said the scheme’s highlight is the

reimbursement of deposits or full payments of air tickets/tour

packages in the event of tour operators in Malaysia absconding or

insolvency.