Students And Universities Have Been Told To Lodge Police Report If They Are Victim

Shahinuddin Shariff (EMGS CEO)

Universities and foreign students should lodge a police reports if they are victims of harassment or extortion by enforcement officers.

The police will conduct a thorough investigation once a report has been lodged, said Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) director Comm Datuk Zamri Yahya.

He said the Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU) should come forward and cooperate with the police as soon as possible.

"If the students are really being harassed or extorted, the association or the students should lodge a police report as soon as possible.

Comm Zamri said JIPS would take action should there be no appropriate response to the reports.

He also ruled out the possibility that such mistreatment of foreign students is prevalent.

"If indeed police personnel are involved, it is only a few bad apples. And they will be dealt with sternly," he said.

Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) CEO Shahinuddin Shariff said the problem stems from lack of awareness among enforcement officers, especially regarding documentation requirements for foreign students.

He said EMGS has been engaging with the Immigration Department and the police to ensure that legit foreign students are not harassed while the authorities weed out illegal immigrants.

"Enforcement officers get moved around a lot. Its the nature of their job.

"So, we have to constantly help new officers familiarize themselves with what is required when dealing with legit international students who come here to study," he said, adding that recently, a workshop was held with representatives from Home Ministry and Immigration Department present.

He said strict enforcement had put an end to syndicates bringing in illegal workers under the guise of education.

"Since 2016, we have had very few cases of fake students coming in. The majority are genuine students.

"Recently, a number of students were detained but we sorted things out," he said, adding that EMGS is on standby 24/7 to rush to the airport to help students arriving in case there are hiccups with the documentation.