Potential Malaysian visitors to Australia make up the biggest nationality group to be turned away

MALAYSIANS are the biggest nationality group who are being refused entry into Australia, according to the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Penny Williams.

The Sin Chew Daily newspaper quoted Williams as saying that there were syndicates who were trying to con Malaysians to work in Australia by using a valid Electronic Travel Authority.

“Some of them are not aware that they cannot work in Australia with ETA. Many also are not aware that once they are caught by the Australian immigration authorities, they will be banned from entering Australia for at least a few years,” she said in an interview with the Chinese language daily newspaper.

She said those interested to work or stay in Australia should apply for a proper visa from the Australian High Commission.

This phenomenon is an indication of a disturbing trend, which is perhaps the symptom of the distressed labour market in Malaysia.

Unrealistically low wages in Malaysia mean that many people are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Price increases have overtaken wages, which generally remain very low and are virtually stagnant.

Consequently there are many Malaysians who are being proactive in the best way they can, and they are trying to work overseas in order to be able to better provide for their families.

Foreign workers are being brought it to work, they are paid, what can only be described as slave wages, and they are forced therefore to live in overcrowded and unsatisfactory accommodation.

See this POST for an example

The government should view this matter seriously, as the future and also the reputation of the country are at stake.

Firm and bold steps need to be taken to ensure that these disturbing symptoms are properly treated before they eat the heart and soul out of Malaysia.

Dum inter homines sumus, colamus humanitatem

- As long as we are among humans, let us be humane.