PETALING JAYA: The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia has clarified that Malaysia has not been removed from Taiwan’s list of visa-exempted entry but it is now listed under “temporarily suspending.”

The Bureau of Consular Affairs under Taiwan’s foreign ministry has put Malaysia in its “temporarily suspending” list.

Other countries in the same category Chile, Dominican Republic, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines and Russia.

Benjamin Hong, director of news division under the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, said based on a September 5 notice by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some European countries can enter Taiwan visa-free from September 12.

“This means visa-free entry is only applicable to visitors from countries and regions stated in the notice,” said Hong.

When asked when Malaysians will be allowed to visit Taiwan visa-free, Hong said no time frame had been given.

“Based on the Taiwanese government’s press conference on Monday, the entry regulations will be easing gradually.

“Of course, Taiwan’s medical facilities are also taken into consideration,” Hong said.