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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Malaysia bans S Asia recruitment | Malaysia bans S Asia recruitment |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Malaysia has suspended the recruitment of workers from India and Bangladesh, amid rising domestic tensions. | Malaysia has suspended the recruitment of workers from India and Bangladesh, amid rising domestic tensions. |
| A government official said the decision might be linked to the actions of a group that led protests complaining of discrimination against ethnic Indians. | A government official said the decision might be linked to the actions of a group that led protests complaining of discrimination against ethnic Indians. |
| But the official did not say why the decision had been made, nor how long the restrictions would last. | But the official did not say why the decision had been made, nor how long the restrictions would last. |
| The ban will affect thousands of manual labourers as well as professionals, including religious workers. | The ban will affect thousands of manual labourers as well as professionals, including religious workers. |
| There are currently about 250,000 legal workers in Malaysia from India and Bangladesh. | There are currently about 250,000 legal workers in Malaysia from India and Bangladesh. |
| 'Unprecedented' | 'Unprecedented' |
| The move to freeze visas for all workers from the two countries was taken three weeks ago, the government said. | The move to freeze visas for all workers from the two countries was taken three weeks ago, the government said. |
| But Tuesday's announcement took many people by surprise. | But Tuesday's announcement took many people by surprise. |
| A Vaithilingam, president of a Malaysian inter-faith group, said that the decision came without dialogue and was "unprecedented". | A Vaithilingam, president of a Malaysian inter-faith group, said that the decision came without dialogue and was "unprecedented". |
| Lingering ethnic divide | |
| The BBC's correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant, said it was a significant diplomatic move by the Malaysia government. | The BBC's correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant, said it was a significant diplomatic move by the Malaysia government. |
| A Home Ministry official told the BBC that the decision "may be linked to Hindraf", the Hindu activists group which organised recent rallies by Malaysian ethnic Indians. | A Home Ministry official told the BBC that the decision "may be linked to Hindraf", the Hindu activists group which organised recent rallies by Malaysian ethnic Indians. |
| Thousands of ethnic Indians took to the streets late last year in protest against perceived social and economic discrimination by the Malay-Muslim majority. | Thousands of ethnic Indians took to the streets late last year in protest against perceived social and economic discrimination by the Malay-Muslim majority. |
| The announcement came on the final day of a visit to Malaysia by Indian Defence Minister AK Antony. | |
| Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Mr Antony "did not raise the issue of ethnic Indians in Malaysia," reported the French news agency AFP. | Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Mr Antony "did not raise the issue of ethnic Indians in Malaysia," reported the French news agency AFP. |
| An unnamed Indian professional told Reuters that the Malaysian government should not have taken such a drastic step. | An unnamed Indian professional told Reuters that the Malaysian government should not have taken such a drastic step. |
| "They should recognise the contribution made by Indian workers and professionals in the economic growth of the country," he said. | "They should recognise the contribution made by Indian workers and professionals in the economic growth of the country," he said. |