Malaysia (see also Indonesia)

Deportations to continue

On 6 February, the government reiterated that it would soon deport irregular Indonesian migrant workers despite pleas for gradual deportation by Indonesia.  Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Dato’ Mohammad Rastam Isa said that Malaysia has a very strict immigration law, which mandates that all irregular migrants be deported and penalizes Malaysians found employing irregular migrant workers.

Stiffer visa rule for female tourists

The government has decided to tighten visa rules for young female tourists from countries such as China and Vietnam following the rise in their involvement in vice activities. Immigration Director Jamal said female tourists aged 30 and below from certain countries could be affected by the new ruling. The move aims to curb the flesh trade and to prevent foreigners from misusing their visit or student passes. He has directed immigration directors in all states to lead raids, codenamed Ops Kelawar, at least twice a month.  The department will also intensify its surveillance at checkpoints, including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang. 

Almost 13,000 tourists and foreign students have been detained over the past three years for involvement in immoral activities, particularly the sex trade, in the country. The number of Chinese nationals arrested for immigration-related offences has more than doubled from 891 in 2001 to 2,382 in 2002. Statistics show that women tourists from China had been found to abuse social visit passes issued to them; 981 were detained for such cases in 2001. Female Chinese tourists are also found to have abused the student passes issued to them.  Chinese nationals comprise the majority of the 11,058 foreign students in the country. Those arrested also include nationals from Vietnam, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, Russia, India, Laos, Bangladesh, Poland, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.     

Irregular landings down

Arrivals of irregular migrants along the coast of Johor have been reduced by 40 percent over the past 12 months.  Army chief Jen Wira Mohd Shahrom Datuk Nordin attributed the decrease to more concerted efforts by the Marine police in patrolling the popular landing areas for irregular migrants, mainly from Indonesia, such as Tanjung Pegelih and Tanjung Balau.  He disclosed that the peak season of irregular migrants’ arrivals is usually after Hari Raya.  He added that since Ops Merpati was started in 1997, they have arrested a total of 18,700 irregular migrants. 

Immigration offenders nabbed

On 7 February, 16 Indonesians, including 10 women, were sentenced by the magistrate’s court to between four and six months in jail for various immigration offences under the Immigration Act 1959. Six Chinese women were also tried for not having valid permits.  The 16 foreigners pleaded guilty before the court for their offences, including not possessing valid documents and possession of fake and expired permits.  Meanwhile, the six Chinese women pleaded not guilty to charges of not possessing valid documents and being in possession of fake study permits. 

Rioters’ work permits revoked

Immigration Director General Datuk Mohd Jamal Kamdi said the work permits of 271 foreigners involved in a fight on 29 January at Taman Century, Sunagi Nibong in Penang have been revoked.  He said punitive action would be taken against those involved in the clash, which includes repatriation.  The foreigners were among the Vietnamese and Bangladeshi workers who were involved in a fight over the allocation of off-days for the Chinese New Year.

Compulsory health screening welcomed

The Malaysian Foreign Maid Agency (Papa) welcomed the cabinet’s decision to make medical screening compulsory for all foreign workers entering the country, but it urged the government not to restrict the check ups to clinics appointed by Fomema Sdn Bhd. Papa deputy president Jeffrey Foo said the association does not mind the screening, but reminded the government that the medical cost should not burden the consumers.  He said clinics not appointed by Fomema charge much cheaper fees.  The decision to conduct such screening followed reports of Indonesian domestic workers who were certified healthy back home but were found suffering from illnesses such as typhoid fever.     

Racial polarization in the workplace

National Unity Department director general Abdul Rashid Sahad said racial polarization in the workplace is becoming a worrying trend in the country. He said the tendency of workers to stick within their own community is gradually infiltrating workplaces, which is unhealthy for a multi-racial country like Malaysia.  He blamed politicians for this emerging trend, saying certain politicians are fueling racial conflicts with their explicit speeches that touch on racial and religious sensitivities.

In an effort to achieve “zero racial conflict” this year, the department has approved grants for Rukun Tetangga and public education programs, particularly those targeting the urban population, on the sensitivities of various races.  Rukun Tetangga (RT) is a neighborhood watch group run by residents in housing estates to combat crimes and to promote racial integration. Abdul Rashid said the government hopes to set up 3,000 RTs to serve 7.5 million people by the end of the year, and eventually increase this to 4,800 for 12 million people by 2010.

Evacuation of Malaysians

The government has evacuated family members of its diplomatic staff in Baghdad and has briefed Malaysian students in Iraq on the eventuality of war.  Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that only the Malaysian ambassador and seven diplomatic staff remained in its embassy in Baghdad to monitor the situation.  He clarified that the government has yet to issue an evacuation order. 

Sources:  Bernama, “Foreigners in vice face stern action,” Daily Express, 31 January 2003;  “Work permit revoked,” The Malaysia Star, 31 January 2003;  “KL to tighten visa rules for young female tourists,” The Straits Times, 1 February 2003; The Star/Asia News Network, “Workers of the same race stick together,” The Straits Times, 1 February 2003; Devid Rajah, “Papa welcomes second test for foreign workers,” The Star, 3 February 2003; Mimi Syed Yusof, “16 Indons jailed for various immigration offences,” New Straits Times, 7 February 2003;  Lam Li, “Malaysia evacuates staff at Baghdad embassy, Manila to do the same,” The Star, 10 February 2003;  “Malaysia to deport illegal workers,” Jakarta Post, 10 February 2003;  Sim Bak Heng, “Illegal immigrant landings up [down] by 40%,” New Straits Times, 13 February 2003