KUALA LUMPUR (April 8): Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) clarified on Friday (April 8) that the Malaysian government's latest standard operating procedure (SOP) states that international travellers are only required to take their Covid-19 Rapid Test Kit Antigen (RTK-AG) tests within 24 hours upon arrival in Malaysia at any private health facilities including clinics and hospitals of their choice.

"There is no requirement for travellers to do the RTK-AG (tests) on-site at the airports as claimed by some media reports," MAHB said in a statement.

MAHB said there has been confusion about the requirement for international travellers' RTK-AG tests to be done at airports upon arrival in Malaysia due to recent media reports on the matter.

There have also been claims of private health facility operators at airports in the country monopolising the business of providing RTK-AG tests to international travellers, according to MAHB.

"This is baseless as it is not mandatory to perform the tests at the airport upon arrival. The facilities are made available for passengers who wish to have the convenience of doing the tests right away at the airport upon their arrival.

"There are four different private health facility operators providing the services at four different airports: BP Clinical Lab Sdn Bhd for KL International Airport, Edgenta UEMS Sdn Bhd for Penang International Airport, MYEG Services Sdn Bhd for Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and Gribbles Pathology (M) Sdn Bhd for Kuching International Airport," MAHB said.

According to the airport operator, the Malaysian government has further announced the exemption of Covid-19 tests upon arrival in Malaysia for travels between Malaysia and Singapore for fully vaccinated travellers as part of the specific safety protocols between the two countries.
 
"Since the border reopening and the practice of the new pre-departure and arrival SOP for travels to Malaysia, the passenger processing at our international airports has improved significantly in terms of speed and efficiency," it added.

MAHB's share price fell three sen or 0.43% to close at RM6.97 on Friday for a market value of RM11.57 billion.