BRITAIN MAY RELOOK INTO PROPOSAL TO IMPOSE VISA FOR MALAYSIANS

From Amer Hamzah Md Sap

LONDON, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Britain may relook into its proposal to impose visa requirement for Malaysians next year if overstaying among them is not handled properly, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin said.

He said that at the moment there were 20,000 Malaysian overstayers in
Britain.

"We are concerned that if the British government starts to impose visa on
Malaysians, other European countries might follow suit," he told Malaysian
journalists covering his five-day visit here. He will return home on Friday.

On Wednesday, he met Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
Lord Mendelson where he sought his views on the possibility of the British
government imposing visa on Malaysians in the near future.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Britain was not satisfied with the existing
situation as there were many overstayers among Malaysians and had listed the
country among 11 countries it would impose visa requirements.

He said Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern
Ireland Abd Aziz Mohamed had taken steps to explain that Malaysia too viewed the
matter seriously.

Muhyiddin said Malaysia had also tightened the rules on Malaysians visiting
Britain.

Malaysians, who had been overstaying for so long, would not be allowed to
renew their passports and would only be issued with certificates of emergency to
allow them to return home, said Muhyiddin.

He said that Malaysia had given the assurance that it would take the
necessary steps and would organise more awareness campaign against overstaying.

"The most important thing is that at this stage the visa requirement will
not be implemented and we have explained our position on the issue," he said.

Muhyiddin also reminded Malaysians that they were responsible for their
action.

"Britain has given us the signal and from records we know they have the
basis to do so," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said during the meeting with Mandelson, he also took
the opportunity to explain Malaysia's economic structure, the country's new
economic model and the initiatives taken by the Malaysian government to put
Malaysia's economy on a strong footing.

"I also took the opportunity to explain the importance of strengthening
bilateral ties as we are already enjoying cordial relations for so long.

"There are no major problem between Britain and Malaysia but I hope that
reciprocal visits of leaders of both countries can be enhanced.

"British firms have been investing in Malaysia and it seems that they keep
on looking at Malaysia as an investment destination," he said.

On the Learning and Technology World Forum which he attended here, he said,
Malaysia could learn from the success of several countries in utilising ICT in
education.

On his five-day visit to the country, Muhyiddin said it was a successful one
and that Malaysia would stand to gain from it.

While here, he also met and held dialogue with Malaysian students.

He said that he found them to be highly-spirited, able to present
constructive ideas and that they also understood government policies.
-- BERNAMA