MALAYSIA RANKED 13TH IN FREEDOM TO TRAVEL SURVEY

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been ranked 13th in a global survey
conducted to gauge travel freedom enjoyed by the citizens of various countries.

The Henley Visa Restrictions Index-Global Ranking 2010 was compiled by Henley &
Partners, a firm which specialises in international residence and citizenship
planning.

The United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden topped the list with a score of 166, 164
and 163, respectively.

The index ranked countries according to the visa-free access its citizens enjoy,
to other countries, Henley & Partners said on its website.

With a score of 151, Malaysia was ranked above countries and territories such as
Liechtenstein, Hong Kong, Brazil, South Africa, Montenegro, Russian Federation,
United Arab Emirates, Thailand, India, Egypt and China.

The firm said it had analysed the visa regulations of all countries and
territories in the world.

"This is the first time that a global ranking shows the international travel
freedom of the citizens of the various countries, as well as the international
relations and status of individual countries relative to others," it said.

The company noted that in today's globalised world, visa restrictions played an
important role in controlling the movement of foreign nationals across borders.

"Almost all countries now require visas from certain non-nationals who wish to
enter their territory," it added.
-- BERNAMA