Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
ONLY 0.075% of 113,752 students from other countries registered in local universities are known to be involved in crime in Malaysia.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (pic) said that this was because the arrival of foreign students was being effectively monitored through the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) student identity card system since July.
He added that the establishment of EMGS in 2013 had reduced cases of visa abuse by international students in the country.
“Many are of the perception that each crime committed by a foreigner involves international students.
“Maybe, such students entered Malaysia before the introduction of the EMGS student card.
“With the screening by EMGS, the ministry's statistics have shown that only 0.075% of international students were involved in crime," Idris said.
Idris said the screening effort involved the co-operation of the Higher Education Ministry, Home Ministry, Immigration Department, EMGS and other enforcement agencies.
He pointed out that the ministry did not have any control on foreign students entering Malaysia for three-month courses at language centres.
“Without control, these short-term language students stay longer than the stipulated period,” he added.
Idris said the ministry was also going to the ground and making spot checks at private and public institutions of higher learning to ensure the international student passes were not abused.
Without naming the institutions involved, he said the ministry had suspended the enrolment of foreign students at four private institutions for violating conditions set by EMGS. – Bernama
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