‘Prevent illegal agents recruiting workers to Malaysia’

MANGALORE: Former Malaysian finance minister and deputy Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim urged the governments of India and Malaysia to take necessary steps to prevent illegal agents recruiting people from India. 


Addressing mediapersons on a private visit to Mangalore on Thursday, Anwar, who is the leader of the opposition of Malaysian Parliament, said that Indians were being forced to work in Malaysia for lesser pay than they were offered at the time of recruitment. He was referring to Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Tun Razak's recent statement that nearly 40,000 Indian nationals have gone 'missing' in Malaysia after the expiry of their tourist visas. 


"It is not the question of legitimacy or illegality of the stay of Indians in Malaysia. The government should treat those Indian workers as dignified human beings. It is a fact that Malaysian companies and the government make them work for only half of the salary offered at the time of recruitment. Malaysian government should consider this fact and also look into the basic facilities provided to them," he said. 


Anwar questioned Malaysian government for the manner in which Indian families, who reside in Malaysia without visas, were treated. "Why do they punish only poor even when there are corrupt among rich too. Let the government solve the issue in a transparent manner. Let the government send those Indians back, if they are not required there," he suggested.It was because of the corrupt agencies, who recruit manpower in India and Malaysia, the situation has been created in Malaysia, Anwar said. "There are corrupt agencies in India too. They offer attractive salary, collect huge amount and recruit people from India. Only after reaching Malaysia people realize the reality.