Malaysia to regulate entry of foreign students to tackle terrorism threat

KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Government has said that stricter entry rules for foreign students will be applied to deal with the terror concerns in the country.

Malaysian Home Ministry Secretary-General Mahmood Adam said that the previous system whereby students could apply for visas after securing a place in local universities or show proof of a letter of acceptance to a university before getting the visas would be abolished.

“This way, we will be able to monitor the students more closely. If their families are here, they, too, will be monitored,” The New Straits Times quoted Mahmood, as saying.

According to reports, student visas will be issued only to bona fide international students and those with proof of acceptance into a university course.

The minister further said that the arrest of nine foreigners in an anti-terror raid early this year played a significant role in the government’s decision.

“After a raid in Sungai Chincin, Gombak, in January where 10 suspected terror suspects, including its leader, Syrian Aiman Al Dakak, were arrested, the government discovered that Malaysia is being used by terror groups as a recruitment base,” Mahmood said.

“Initially terrorist groups came here to raise funds. Now they have gone a step further. hey are trying to use Malaysia as a recruiting ground. Fortunately, their efforts were foiled,” he added.

The group led by a 45-year-old Syrian Islamic scholar Aiman Al Dakak was held when the police got wind of their plans and raided their hideout in Sungai Chincin and Gombak, on January 22 and detained them under the Internal Security Act.

The others in this group included three other Syrians, two Yemenis, two Nigerians, a Jordanian and a Malaysian.

The nine foreigners were deported to their home countries in April, where they have been detained. (ANI)