‘Pakistanis not treated as terrorists in Malaysia’
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ISLAMABAD: Malaysia is becoming most preferred tourist destination for Pakistani tourists and only last year over 80,000 Pakistanis visited Malaysia for business, tourism and education.
“Malaysia does not treat visiting Pakistanis as terror suspects the way Europe and America treat and we feel delighted to find Pakistanis in our country,” Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan Dato Hasrul Sani Mujtabar told a media briefing at newly constructed Malaysian High Commission building in Islamabad.
The envoy said at political level both the countries enjoy excellent relations and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has sent letter of invitation to his Malaysian counterpart to visit Pakistan at his convenience.
“Malaysia offers best education at par with western standards at very economical price to students from Asia and rest of the world and which is why there are over 100,000 foreign students studying various disciplines in our country from under graduate to PhD level,” Mujtabar remarked.
The envoy said Pakistani fruits particularly Mango is very much liked in Malaysia and there was great potential for Mango exporters to export the king of the fruit there.
Speaking about tourism, Mujtabar said over 25 million tourists visited Malaysia last year from all around the world, adding that there was no security issue with high quality hotels and food were affordable.
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Comments (32) Closed
May 14, 2014 10:57pm
Pathetic
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May 14, 2014 11:18pm
Tourism is good but the number of tourists visiting Pak is declining for fear of terrorism. When will that change?
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May 14, 2014 11:29pm
Pakistan will welcome Malaysian tourists to boost it's economy. When are you guys coming?
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May 14, 2014 11:41pm
I have been to Pakistan as a tourist in 2003 for my classmate's marriage there. Great place to be in ....except found men a bit rude and always staring at women as they have never seen a female before....that was a sure turnoff
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May 14, 2014 11:45pm
@Harmony - it will never change.
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May 14, 2014 11:54pm
There are many places where pakistan is not considered terrorist. I have personally met tamil and somalians who are all praise for pakistan and its strong stances on many issues.
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May 14, 2014 11:57pm
@Syed - No...lets be optimistic.
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May 15, 2014 12:06am
The Malaysian HCs claim that Pakistani tourists are treated like terrorists in the West is not only factually wrong, it is a direct insult to all Pakistanis. When he says that Pakistani tourists will not be treated like terrorists if they come to Malaysia indicates a lack of appreciation of the fact that genuine tourists are welcomed in all countries because they tourists create jobs and spend money.
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May 15, 2014 12:39am
Pakistan is a friendly nation, there are so many countries who simply adore Pakistan. Malaysia is an old ally of Pakistan, and today the Malaysian's enjoy of being the Asian Tiger, because of the cotton yarn from Pakistan, one of the best cotton producer of the world.
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May 15, 2014 12:42am
My wife and I have a contrary experience of Malaysia.
Both of us are over 60. We visited a number of Far Eastern countries a few years ago. Only in Malaysia we were both manhandled by the secret police in the middle of the road searching our bags and person for drugs. Later when we showed them our E.U. passports the plain-cloth policemen said "I am looking for Pakistanis who are all drug dealers." Malaysian police are rude , impolite and unprofessional.
We then flew to China, Brunei and Hong Kong. In China we met the most courteous policemen and women who helped us beyond the call of duty. Chinese culture still places emphasis on age.
My wife and I have decided never to set foot in Malaysia ever again and advised all our children, family and friends to avoid Malaysia.
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May 15, 2014 01:29am
Just because the high commissioner says so, does not mean that the average Malaysian thinks so.
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May 15, 2014 01:32am
Thank you Malaysia. Pakistan's general population as a whole is very courteous.
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May 15, 2014 01:33am
@DIAS wait till u go visit India.
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May 15, 2014 01:34am
@aaa correct. I have lots of tamilian people who think very highly of us.
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May 15, 2014 01:35am
@Aziz maybe your just spoiled with your EU passport and expect to be treated like kings everywhere. I have always had pleasant experience when traveling to Malaysia, especially with my parents.
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May 15, 2014 01:46am
The headline is depressing even for an Indian
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May 15, 2014 02:20am
A very undiplomatic remark by the high commissioner. Shows his perception about Pakistanis.
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May 15, 2014 04:11am
Did everyone miss the part that the Malaysian ambassador said
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May 15, 2014 04:59am
Congratulations to all Pakistanis.
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May 15, 2014 06:48am
Frankly, I have always felt more unease and racism in Malaysia than Europe and USA combined. The Malaysians (especially chineese Malaysians) are generally rude, impolite, and have an arrogant attitude towards the South Asian community. I am talking from my personal experience of several visits where I was able to talk to almost every section of their society (drivers, restaurant managers, labourers, professionals etc).
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May 15, 2014 07:57am
Malaysia is indeed a beautiful country with friendly people. It has become the most favoured holiday destination for me and my family. We spend at least four weeks every year over there and we always feel like home when we are there. I wish to see Pakistan and Malaysia further strengthening their bilateral ties.
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May 15, 2014 07:58am
What a magnificent achievement....Congrats Pakistanis
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May 15, 2014 09:37am
I came here in Malaysia to study and living here since last year and i have to say the hospitality from Malaysian people is good and they are very peace loving peopl.
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May 15, 2014 09:45am
@anonymous
Dear Sir / Madam,
E.U. citizens have the right in law that their personal dignity is not assailed by anyone. Certainly we do not have a right to be "treated as kings" as you assert. We are all innocent till proved guilty and as citizens must comply with the law including demand for a search by a suspecting policeman. So must the policeman comply with the law.
A Malaysian policeman (perhaps personally or institutionally biased against Pakistanis) invaded our privacy and the right to be treated with respect and dignity. Innocent Pakistanis too should have the same right. My letter was in measured solidarity with Pakistanis.
For your information Kings/Queens in the E.U. are mostly hereditary. If they were elected , then I can assure your Sir/ Madam, that I would be eligible to stand for election even though I am an ordinary citizen.
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May 15, 2014 09:45am
@Aziz Sir it must have been a one-off experience which can happen anywhere with anyone. Don't judge anyone or anything with just one experience.
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May 15, 2014 09:48am
@Aziz I strongly agree with you sir. The Polis Di Raja (Royal Malaysian Police) does not know how to conduct their duties. During my 4 years study in Malaysia, when the police asked me to show my passport, well I accidentally showed them my old passport & old visa, and they let me go. In another incident I showed them my photocopied valid passport & visa, and they told me to carry the original in a very rude manner (by law you can carry photocopied documents), they were coming up with reasons just to extort some money from me. Pak PM should consider looking at illegal foreign students (including Malaysians) studying in various unregistered madressahs.
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May 15, 2014 10:07am
I have lived in Malaysia as an exchange student and my in my experience:
- Malaysia is beautiful country with sky scrapers, forests and beautiful islands. While there are many mosques the new Malay generation is increasingly living a non-Muslim life style. The Chines-Malaysians are in general rude, arrogant and do not like the Muslim majority and their culture. They also do not care for the Indian minority either whom they look down upon. In general, Malaysia is great vacation destination but not a good place for Pakistanis to work for various reasons including level of income.
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May 15, 2014 10:51am
@DIAS
Haha ..staring is our nations national pastime...along with scratching the groin area
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May 15, 2014 10:53am
@Ahmed exceotions apart rule is majority of our tourists abroad are under disguise. Most end up overstaying and working
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May 15, 2014 11:07am
@Peace , ---- Even journalists are scared to come to pakistan for reporting, then how do you expect tourists will ever think of this....
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May 15, 2014 11:15am
@Peace , ---- Even journalists are scared to come to pakistan for reporting, then how do you expect tourists will ever think of this....
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May 15, 2014 11:38am
Thank you dear High Commissioner, but I find your remarks rude and ignorant.
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