PETALING JAYA, Aug 27 — It would be hard for Selangor to eliminate racial discrimination within property rentals, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said today amid a brewing storm over a local condominium management’s blanket ban on “African” tenants.

The Selangor mentri besar said it was solely an issue that had to be sorted out between landlord and tenant, but stressed the need for “justice” for both parties.

“A landlord has the right to know to whom he is renting his property. That, we cannot stop,” Abdul Khalid told reporters after addressing a National House and Property Summit here.

“Discrimination will always happen... I know it’s hard to profess that anybody can just rent (a house).”

The Malay Mail Online had yesterday reported the unprecedented occupancy ban imposed last week by the management of Ridzuan Condominium in Bandar Sri Subang here against “African” tenants, telling the renters they have three months to vacate their units.

The decision came after the majority of the condominium’s residents voted at an annual general meeting (AGM) held on July 6 against renting their units to foreigners from the continent, whom they allege to have “caused a lot of nuisance”.

The memo on the move banning the renting of units to ‘African’ tenants affixed to a notice board at Ridzuan Condominium. — Picture by Choo Choy May

PKR’s Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has since suggested that an all-out ban against Africans as tenants may backfire on Malaysians, and pledged to meet with the condominium management that moved to drive out renters from the continent last week.

The assemblyman for Seri Setia, the state constituency where the controversial Ridzuan Condominium is located, said he would arrange for a meeting soon with the apartment residents and the authorities to facilitate a peaceful solution to the simmering row that has taken on a racial slant that may become a diplomatic concern unless handled properly.

Nik Nazmi added that he would be calling on the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), a commissioner of buildings, the Immigration Department and the police to help mediate in the occupancy problem the condominium’s local residents seem to have with foreigners.

Map showing the location of Ridzuan Condominium, and its proximity to several colleges and universities.

The Ridzuan Condominium ban may be the first attempt of its kind reported in Malaysia after years of alleged discrimination and hostility towards the oft-maligned African community, including in the mainstream media.

Despite being a continent of 54 countries with diverse and distinct ethnicities, cultures, languages and societies, its migrants are commonly pigeonholed using the “African” catchall, while the derogatory label “Awang Hitam” (literally, Black Fellow) is also used by Malay-language dailies in reference to their dominant skin colour.

The negative perception towards African migrants in Malaysia is believed to stem from the frequency of cases of drug smuggling, financial scams, frauds and sex crimes reportedly involving the group.

The Immigration Department reported that a total of 79,352 Africans entered the country last year.

The department also issued 25,467 student visas to Africans in 2012 to study in public or private institutions.