Malaysian passport is now ranked no. 4 & on par with Japan, Switzerland, Ner

masakiokada · Post time 21-4-2017 05:26 PM

Malaysian passport ranked fourth most powerful in the world

Wednesday, 19 April 2017 | MYT 12:46 PM

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian passport is the fourth most powerful in the world, according to the Global Passport Power Rank 2017.
Malaysia improved its position by two visa-free changes from 2016 to tie in fourth position globally with Japan as well as Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and Portugal with an overall visa-free score (VFS) of 156.
In January, Malaysia was ranked fifth with a VFS of 154.

In the rankings published by Arton Capital's Passport Index, a VFS represents the number of countries a passport holder can visit visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival.

The index is the only real time global ranking of the world's passports, which is updated as frequently as new visa waivers and changes are announced.
No.1 spot for the most powerful passport in the world was a tie between Singapore and Germany.
This is the first time Singapore has topped the rankings with an overall VFS of 159. Singapore was previously ranked second.
In second place is Sweden with an overall VFS of 158.

South Korea, the United States, Britain, Denmark, Finland, Italy, France, Spain and Norway were tied in third place with a VFS score of 157.
In the Asean region, Malaysia and Singapore's positions at No. 4 and No. 1 respectively are far higher than neighbours Brunei (ranked 21 with a VFS score of 136), Thailand (ranked 54), Indonesia (67) and the Philippines (65).
Vietnam and Cambodia were tied at 77th in the world with a VFS score of 49.
The least powerful passport in the world went to Afghanistan.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/n ... urth-most-powerful/

https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php

masakiokada · Post time 21-4-2017 05:37 PM

Malaysians may not need Visa to Morocco - Ambassador DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28 February 2017; SOURCE: Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) - In future, Malaysians may no longer need a visa to visit Morocco, said its ambassador to Malaysia, Mohammed Reda Benkhaldoun.

He said further talks on this exemption would be held between the two nations soon before an agreement is signed.
"We are working on that (visa-free). God willing, we are looking forward to a visit from the Malaysian side to Morocco so that we can sign this agreement as soon as possible," said Mohammed Reda today.

He was speaking to reporters after paying a courtesy call on Dewan Negara President Datuk Seri S. A. Vigneswaran at the Parliament building here today.
Malaysians going to Morocco currently have to pay RM96 to get a visa.

Vigneswaran said Malaysia would work closer to enhance ties with Morocco and preserve existing ones.
"Hopefully an agreement will be signed in April between the two countries so that Malaysians can go there without a visa," he said adding that the one-hour meeting also touched on matters relating to the economy, security and the concept of wasatiyyah (moderation).

http://www.aseanlic.com/plusnews ... bassador/ANP10621/1