Australia has stationed immigration officers in M’sia

WITH over 30,000 Malaysians overstaying their welcome, Australian authorities have now stationed immigration officers in Malaysia to check those going to the country, says Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya.

“Their immigration officers are here to examine visa applications from Malaysians before they travel to Australia,” he said.

“Greener pastures is why most overstayed and although Malaysians are not recognised as refugees by Australia, some still apply.

“Some do this (claiming refugee status) out of personal reasons in seeking better services or life in Australia or elsewhere,” he said while answering a supplementary question raised by Datuk Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif (BN-Jempol).

Mohd Salim claimed that Australian High Commissioner to

Malaysia Andrew Goledzinowski had recently revealed that about 33,000 Malaysians had overstayed their 90-day visa, with some claiming refugee status.

“He also said that the Australian government had received 4,973 applications for protection visas from Malaysians between July 2018 and April this year,” added Mohd Salim.

Marzuki said Wisma Putra was working closely with Australia to monitor Malaysians seeking such status or protection visas.

To a question by Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS-Pensiangan), Marzuki advised Malaysians to check with the relevant authorities before taking up overseas job offers.

He said this was to avoid Malaysians, particularly the youth, being duped and ending up as illegal immigrants abroad.