PETALING JAYA, July 13 — Students from the Middle-East who are studying here are incensed they could be subjected to visa requirements, likening the move to profiling.
A spokesman for the Arab Students Association Malaysia said while it was understandable the country was beefing up security in the face of militant threats the sudden suggestion to introduce visas did not bode well.
“It feels like the authorities here are reacting to an attack rather than actually improving security. What is worse is that they seem to think anyone from the Middle East is a security threat.
“Profiling is hurtful and prejudiced and what is worse is that it will not improve security but rather make it seem that certain people are a danger to the country,” he said.
Haider Jama, an IT student from Saudi Arabia said it was uncalled for to introduce a visa regime or background checks for Middle Eastern students.
“If I have to put up with profiling and visa applications it would be better for me to study in Europe or America.”
Haider said not only would visas make life harder for students, it would create the impression that Malaysia was no longer safe.
“If everyone coming here to study has to get a background check, that is going to make us feel hassled, not more secure and it feels like a knee-jerk reaction to the nightclub bombing,” he said, referring to the grenade attack on a Puchong nightspot two weeks ago.
Salim al-Khaf, an electrical engineering student from Yemen said he was disappointed the country was considering a “regressive measure”.
“Enforcement in other countries is moving away from profiling as it is inefficient to assume everyone from a certain religious or ethnic group is a potential security threat.
“The West did this in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and this has not stopped further attacks. It is the same here...you should rely on intelligence not on assumption,” he said.
Another engineering student, Najad Abdallah from Jordan said if the new measures proved to be too great a hassle he would consider studying elsewhere.
“I am studying here because we (Jordanians) do not need a visa and there is a wide availability of halal products and a similar culture.
“But if I have to apply for a visa, it would be better to study in Singapore...it is the same distance from my country, what would be the benefit of coming here,” he said.
Following the grenade attack on Movida bar in Puchong on June 28, the National Security Council (NSC) proposed that visa requirements for visitors from the Middle East be introduced to check the entry of militants into the country.
The attack, which left eight wounded, was allegedly perpetrated by Malaysians under the instruction of Malaysian Islamic State militant Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi operating in Syria.
Police have confirmed the incident as the first IS-related attack in Malaysia.
The NSC proposal will be raised at the cabinet meeting today, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in a Bernama report yesterday.
“We need to hear from the ministers particularly Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz. This is because his ministry has a target to draw foreign tourists from West Asian countries.
“But at the same time we cannot compromise on Malaysia’s security,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Ahmad Zahid said other possible approaches might also be looked at in deciding whether to allow or bar entry of tourists from Western Asia.
“We will use every communication line to monitor Daesh militant threats before deciding on the proposed visa requirement for West Asian visitors.
“We have very close cooperation with Interpol and Asean police as well as Immigration departments worldwide including Western Asia,” he said.
