When it comes to crimes committed by foreigners, the first impression that comes to most of our minds would undeniably be those perpetrated by immigrant workers. It’s a known fact that most of the crimes in this country are committed by Malaysians [80% in 2007 and 97% in 2009 according to reports (we‘ll talk about this stats later)] but the it’s always  these foreign labourers (Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Vietnamese and Myanmar nationals) that’s been taking the heat.

There’s no doubt that there are serious cases of break-ins, armed robberies, murders and rapes involving these working immigrants but most of them just want to earn their honest living and send enough money to their loved ones back home. However, there’s a different class of foreign crime syndicates that has emerged across the country in recent years especially in the Klang Valley. I’m talking about the rampant trafficking of sex workers from China, African syndicates and thieveries by Latin Americans and Middle-easterners. Not only do these faction of foreign criminals getting more audacious, they are also getting more organised in their trans-national transgressions.

While we can moan and groan over the crime committed by foreigners, as a country, we are directly responsible for any crime committed by them. Malaysia like any other countries has a comprehensive Immigration Law that allows entries of these foreigners in the first place. Are we then too lenient in letting in criminals into our country or the system itself is not foolproof enough to prevent undesirable people to enter this country?

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Entry into Malaysia and Visas

Most of the Chinese prostitutes (or China dolls as they became known as) and African felons enter the country with tourist visas and to operate here longer, they would acquire student visas by enrolling in local colleges. The China dolls usually enrol in English courses. The immigration department has revealed that the China doll in the syndicate’s latest ploy to beat the authorities is to get the girls to register to be married to  Malaysian men so that they can extend their stay and here to prostitute themselves. The feign husband would then receive a monthly disbursement of RM3,000 to RM5,000 as  part of the deal.

Chinese nationals holding the visitor's visa are permitted to stay in the country for up to three months each entry but if they marry a local, they are allowed to stay between six months to a year. According to the immigration department, currently, there are some 10,000 brides from China in the country and the possibility that about 10% of them marrying for "visa" convenience cannot be discounted.

This month, immigration director-general  Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman said that 14 Chinese nationals caught working as hostesses in sleazy joints in the latest crack down on vice activities in Penang claimed to be married to Malaysians. He also said Malaysian "spouses"  would confirm their marriages when later contacted and the immigration could not act against these China dolls unless it had proof that they are providing sexual services.

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MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Michael Chong

According to MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Michael Chong every three out of 10 marriages between foreign women and Malaysian men are “marriages of convenience". Chong said some China brides had sought MCA's help with complaints that the immigration wanted to repatriate them but after checking with the immigration, it was found that many were married to extend their stay to engage in vice.

All foreign wives are not permitted to work during the first two years of their stay in the country while those who have been married for three years or less, but have children from their marriages, can renew their stay every year until they become permanent residents. They are allowed to renew their stay every six months for RM50. China brides caught engaged in immoral activities will be sent home immediately.

Local colleges have been known to be accountable for the influx of these devious foreigners. The Star told of how easy it is for foreign students to enrol. They just need to pay an application fee ranging from US$170 (RM581) to US$330 (RM1,127). The report also said that some colleges even had up to 70% African students.

The African and South American crooks are also known to be involved in forging passports and government documents using laptops and a special software. To conduct their rackets, they get local women (usually college students or single mothers) to let them use the latter’s bank account so they can make transactions for their shams.

According to news source, other criminal elements from Latin America would come to Malaysia to get fake passports of neighbouring countries in their region. These passports are believed to have been made in Bangkok but sold here. Sources said drug traffickers prefer to use Lima, capital of Peru, to fly here from Buenos Aires. Malaysia does not require Peruvians to have a visa to enter the country.

The report also said those coming here with bona fide passports used the fake passports to travel to other destinations for illegal activities.

Police Statistics

When it comes to accessibility to reliable statistics on crime rates, Malaysian authorities leaves much to be desired. In 2007, major dailies had mentioned statements by authorities saying that only 20 percent of crime committed here are by foreigners. This year, police statistics was reported to show that less than 3 percent of crimes in this country are committed by foreigners. What are we to believe? Have the authorities achieved 17 percent drop in African crimes or are the stats inaccurate?

The population have the right to know about the statistics so people are aware of the situation and can take the necessary precautions. Censoring or toning down news on crimes in order to avoid social unrest is plain unreasonable and is a lousy excuse. In fact, PDRM’s website should include these statistics so that it would be readily available to the public.

The thing is, for a small population of foreigners, we can’t ignore the significant number of incidences of crimes committed by them from the papers. We are just too easy on these crooks who mostly get a mere deportation sentence for their wrongdoings and there’s been cases of those deported returning to this country with different passports.
 

Actions from Authorities

A report released last month said authorities will be coming down hard on foreign students who abuse their visas, particularly those from Africa and the Immigration Department and the Higher Education Ministry will spearhead the operations which will be concentrated in the city starting next year. The Immigration Department will also be monitoring arrivals of Africans into the country as well as female Chinese nationals who are 20 years or older who are married to Malaysians from now on.

There are a number of hot spots in the Klang Valley that has a high concentration of Africans and their large presence in these areas is causing uneasiness among locals.

Seeing the way some of the Africans carry themselves in the streets - with all the flashy clothes and cars and mannerisms (and making a show at every single thing they do) haven’t the cops catch on to them much earlier? It’s a dead giveaway that these guys are up to no good.

We all know that in order to curb any crime the authorities have to get to the root of the problem by cracking the main people who are behind these syndicates and authorities from both the importing as well as exporting nations must work hand in hand.

We often hear about war on crime, war on drugs but if we were to declare war on something we have to be prepare for battle. This is not about condemning our police force or other authorities; this is a call for their help in providing us with better protection. We know the police have their hands full in dealing with the local criminals alone. In the papers, we read of sons killing their fathers, mothers killing their newborn babies, teachers and priests molesting children; it’s getting crazy. We have no choice but to look out for each other; it’s the authority’s duty to keep our communities safe and it’s our duty to put the authorities in check whenever we feel they are slacking.

At the same time the different authorities such as the Police Force and Immigration must be consistent in their efforts to ensure that our borders are protected. If other countries can do it why can't we?