In last November a released video has caused a row between China and Malaysia. It showed a Chinese young woman - allegedly to be Chinese national - who was forced to strip naked by a female Malaysian police officer. The Chinese was summoned to do ear sit ups while she was being filmed in secret from behind.
The video is widely circulated in China and provoked a public outcry and fury for the abuse and humiliation of a Chinese citizen in Malaysia. It also created a loud protest from the large Chinese community in Malaysia itself for this abuse which seems to stem from racism.
The abuse of this Chinese woman by Malaysian police is not an isolated incident. In 2005 there are reports of at least four Chinese women who were treated in similar way by the police. Many Chinese tourists who visited Malaysia complained that they were treated with disrespect by immigration officers and abused by police officers.
The mistreatment and abuse seem to stem from prejudices against Chinese nationals who come to Malaysia as tourists. According to the authorities many Chinese citizens overstayed and committed a lot of offenses such selling goods or entering into illegal work. Chinese females seem to be working as prostitutes. Those things caused a bias by the Malaysian police towards Chinese tourists who come to Malaysia.
Initially, the Malaysian justice secretary defended this act of the Malay police and brushed off the complains of the Chinese. He stated that if the Chinese are so uncontent about their treatment in Malaysia than they may leave the country as they please.
The consequences are that the number of tourists from China dropped with 65% for this year. Also, China has shown her anger and concern about the reports of mistreatment of Chinese nationals in Malaysia. The Chinese government urges its citizens to refrain from visiting Malaysia.
The Malaysian government realised that they have done something stupid by alienating China. Especially, the economic damages to Malaysia can be considerable as Chinese tourists stay away. Also, the scam may further harm the trade with China which is becoming more and more the economic powerhouse in Asia.
Early December the Malaysian government sent a envoy headed by Home Affairs minister Azmi to China to apologize for the incident and also to give assurance that Chinese nationals in Malaysia will not be abused or mistreated. The Malay official gave guarantee that there will no special prejudices against Chinese females. Azmi's envoy made their visit to Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and other major Chinese cities to apologize for the incident.
We will see if this kowtow by the Malays is sincere and that Malaysian government will truly take measurements to discipline the behavior of its civil servants in handling of Chinese visitors.
Yee Chuen Leung
Chief Editor
The video is widely circulated in China and provoked a public outcry and fury for the abuse and humiliation of a Chinese citizen in Malaysia. It also created a loud protest from the large Chinese community in Malaysia itself for this abuse which seems to stem from racism.
The abuse of this Chinese woman by Malaysian police is not an isolated incident. In 2005 there are reports of at least four Chinese women who were treated in similar way by the police. Many Chinese tourists who visited Malaysia complained that they were treated with disrespect by immigration officers and abused by police officers.
The mistreatment and abuse seem to stem from prejudices against Chinese nationals who come to Malaysia as tourists. According to the authorities many Chinese citizens overstayed and committed a lot of offenses such selling goods or entering into illegal work. Chinese females seem to be working as prostitutes. Those things caused a bias by the Malaysian police towards Chinese tourists who come to Malaysia.
Initially, the Malaysian justice secretary defended this act of the Malay police and brushed off the complains of the Chinese. He stated that if the Chinese are so uncontent about their treatment in Malaysia than they may leave the country as they please.
The consequences are that the number of tourists from China dropped with 65% for this year. Also, China has shown her anger and concern about the reports of mistreatment of Chinese nationals in Malaysia. The Chinese government urges its citizens to refrain from visiting Malaysia.
The Malaysian government realised that they have done something stupid by alienating China. Especially, the economic damages to Malaysia can be considerable as Chinese tourists stay away. Also, the scam may further harm the trade with China which is becoming more and more the economic powerhouse in Asia.
Early December the Malaysian government sent a envoy headed by Home Affairs minister Azmi to China to apologize for the incident and also to give assurance that Chinese nationals in Malaysia will not be abused or mistreated. The Malay official gave guarantee that there will no special prejudices against Chinese females. Azmi's envoy made their visit to Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and other major Chinese cities to apologize for the incident.
We will see if this kowtow by the Malays is sincere and that Malaysian government will truly take measurements to discipline the behavior of its civil servants in handling of Chinese visitors.
Yee Chuen Leung
Chief Editor
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