(The Sun Daily) - The British government is unimpressed with steps taken by Malaysia to address the large number of Malaysians who overstay in Britain, and may eventually impose entry visas.
Last year, Britain announced it will impose visa requirements on Malaysia and 10 other countries deemed as high risk in terms of their nationals who work or stay in Britain illegally.
The other countries are Bolivia, Bostwana, Brazil, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela.
However, a visit by then foreign minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim won Malaysia a reprieve.
But as far as the British government is concerned, Malaysia is on probation until 2011, and by the look of things, it could lose the current six-month visa-free facility extended to social visitors, no thanks to the 20,000 Malaysians who stay in Britain illegally.
The British view the overwhelming number of Malaysian overstayers as a lack of enforcement at the point of departure in Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian immigration authorities.
Malaysia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Britain, Datuk Rustam Yahaya, said the UK wants Malaysia to show it is serious in ensuring only bona fide visitors go to London.
"The UK reserves the right to review the visa waiver periodically and from the feedback I have been receiving, they are not impressed," he said when met in London recently.
"With so many Malaysians overstaying, the prognosis is not good."
Rustam said that of the 20,000 Malaysians who have been declared illegal by overstaying or entering the country on false declarations, 98% are from the Chinese community and the rest are Indians and other ethnic groups and a small number of Malays.
There are 50,000 Malaysians in the UK.
He said that by 2011, the UK will review Malaysia’s status and impose the requirements, which would involve applying for a six-month visa and paying £200 (RM1,114) an application and even providing fingerprints.
The criteria for Malaysia passing the Visa Waiver Test include how far the Malaysian authorities cooperate in ensuring illegals or people with suspect intentions do not leave for the UK.
Officials from the UK Border Agency were tightlipped but said it would make things easier if immigration officers at KLIA or the LCCT are more vigilant against passengers flying to London, as despite getting the reprieve, an average of two Malaysians are deported every week.
This would also mean that passengers travelling to the UK from Kuala Lumpur may not be able to use the Autogate express passport checks facility.
"If you are going to stay in London for a month but have only £100 on you, something is fishy," said an official.
A statement issued through the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on Monday adds: "The UK keeps under continual review the list of those countries who enjoy a waiver of the requirement for a visitor visa.
"Following the formal ministerial review (Visa Waiver Test) which concluded in early 2009, we are working closely with the Malaysian government on migration matters and will monitor the effectiveness of their actions."
Westminster City Chinese community liaison officer David Tan said it also does not help bona fide Malaysian visitors that many of their countrymen in the UK are also involved in credit card fraud, trafficking in women, and vice.
He said many overstayers work in restaurants in Leicester Square’s Chinatown.
"If you walk into a kitchen in Chinatown and cannot find a Malaysian who had overstayed, I will be very surprised," said Tan, a Malaysian.
A Wisma Putra statement said Malaysia will continue to assure the UK Government on the high level of security at all international airports to prevent Malaysia from becoming a transit point for illegal migrants into the UK.
It said Malaysia will conduct publicity campaigns to bring awareness so as not to breach UK immigration rules.
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