Register and stay connected, advise Wisma Putra and student groups

In 2019, there were over 73,000 Malaysians studying abroad and many have become anxious about their safety and wellbeing. — 123rf.com

MALAYSIAN students and citizens living abroad should register with the Malaysian missions overseas, and also to keep in touch with one another, advises the Foreign Affairs Ministry and student groups. This is an important precautionary measure in light of increasing anti-Asian hate around the world.

“In general, the matter of utmost concern of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is the safety and welfare of Malaysians abroad. In relation to the current situation in the United States or any other country for that matter, Malaysians who are abroad are advised to remain calm and vigilant as well as continue to adhere to the safety advisories of the local authorities in those countries, ” the Foreign Affairs Ministry says in an e-mail interview with Sunday Star.

“Malaysians abroad should also avoid engaging in any confrontation if they encounter activities or groups that incite anti-Asian sentiments, ” Wisma Putra adds.

Wisma Putra advises Malaysians abroad to register their particulars via the Ministry’s online portal: https://ekonsular.kln.gov.my or directly with the respective missions to ensure that embassy officials are able to contact Malaysians who are facing any difficulties while abroad for consular assistance.

Higher Education Ministry statistics shows that in 2019 there were over 73,000 Malaysians studying abroad with a majority in predominantly English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland (26.4%), Australia (15.9%), Singapore (2%), New Zealand (1.61%), and the United States (1%). Other countries favoured among Malaysian students include Taiwan (19.5%), Egypt (15.4%), Indonesia (3.9%), China (3%), India (1.8%), Japan (1.5%) and France (1%).

Continued concerns

Although there have been no more reports of violent anti-Asian attacks against Malaysians in Australia since the racially-motivated assault of two undergraduates, a Malaysian and a Singaporean, in Melbourne in April last year, there remains anxiety among Malaysian students over their safety and wellbeing, says the Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia (Masca) deputy chairperson Isaac Sharvin David in a telephone conversation with Sunday Star.

“There has been concern among the students. This is usual when coming to Australia, there is a worry that you might face some sort of minor racism, but there has not been any violent assault [since last year’s case]. It is mainly racial slurs and rude comments; each of us has faced this before, ” says David, who is studying in Murdoch University in Perth.

David: ‘If anything happens to you, please reach out to us.... Do speak up or make a report if you notice any hate incidents.’

He adds that Chinese Malaysians have faced the most number of racist comments, spurred by ignorant behaviour following the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

David says that preventive measures have been prepared, along with Education Malaysia Australia and Malaysia’s Higher Education Ministry should any issue arise.

“For students, if anything happens to you, please reach out to us. Either to Masca, the state chapters or even to your respective university Malaysian student organisations, as they are all linked to Masca. If anything happens, we will be informed and can take action. Do speak up or make a report if you notice any hate incidents, ” says David.

Another helpful step would be to keep your social loop updated, says David, as they can provide a support system.

The United Kingdom and Eire Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC) is conducting an ongoing survey to gauge the frequency and severity of anti-Asian behaviour experienced by Malaysian students in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Of the 30 students who have responded to the survey, 23.3% reported being victims of anti-Asian sentiment directed towards them.

“This included people in the United Kingdom directing comments such as ‘You caused this virus’ at bus stops, throwing phrases like ‘Konichiwa’ and ‘Arigato’ at them when they were walking home at night and being targeted on the Tube (underground railway) for being Asian, ” says UKEC vice chairperson of UKECatalyst Office Victoria Tay in an e-mail interview with Sunday Star.

Tay: ‘Students can write about their struggles online to increase awareness of the issue.’

According to Tay, there were also reports of prejudice towards Asians in markets, with some survey respondents feeling like security was stricter on them compared with locals who were in the area.

“We advise students to contact their university if they felt they were in danger. The university’s international officer and/or each student’s academic adviser should then make a report on their behalf to the university. This will lead to measures taken within the community itself to protect Asian students within their midst, ” says Tay, who is studying in the London School of Economics.

The UKEC also advises students to write about their struggles online to increase awareness of the issue, and to warn other students of potentially dangerous sentiments in different areas.

“Do drop UKEC a direct message or respond to the survey on our Instagram page so that we know what is bothering you, and will be able to bring matters to the attention of Education Malaysia, ” says Tay.

Apart from the survey, the UKEC says that it provides open spaces for students to report any incidents.

“In terms of mental health support, UKEC supports Mercy Malaysia UK’s helpline ‘Talian Kasih Mercy’, which offers confidential and non-judgemental support to any Malaysian student who needs it. With the results of the survey, UKEC will endeavour to work with Education Malaysia to devise a way to better serve the Malaysian students – many (46.7%) of whom wished for more resources and ways to reach out, ” says Tay.

Three weeks ago, a joint press statement by the Malaysian Students’ Global Alliance (MSGA) representing some 80,000 Malaysian students abroad, expressed MSGA’s solidarity against anti-Asian violence happening around the world. The statement provided resources and links to students who wished to fight racism through spreading awareness, signing petitions, and donating to movements that empower the Asian community.

Sunday Star has also reached out to the National Assembly of Malaysian Students in America (Namsa) for comment.