Better measures in plan to curb terrorists from entering the country

Performance of Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) to be reviewed as a result of recent arrest and deportation of international students with terror links.

The Education Malaysia Global Services System (EMGS) is under scrutiny following the events last week where the police disclosed the arrest and deportation of several foreigners due to their links to terror groups.

Malaysian media reported that figures of authorities are calling for a comprehensive review of   EMGS’s performance of screening international students coming into Malaysia. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said that EMGS screens international students on behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, but the screening didn’t involve the police of the immigration.

Jazlan also said the arrest of four foreigners in Malaysia was the result of surveillance and intelligence work after the individuals entered the country. In spite of the fact that the government controls entry points to Malaysia such as airports, harbours and land routes, suspects still manage to get into the country due to lack of information provided by the country of origin. Additionally, there are individuals who manage to enter the country illegally and through unofficial entry points.

Jazlan responded to Bernama reporters after asking for a comment about the issue of IS linked individuals in the country.

Students from a private varsity deported due to IS links

The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), and the immigration department will continue to cooperate when granting study visas to foreign students.

Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said that the move is to ensure that foreign students were not involved in terror linked activities of groups like IS.

“MOHE does not issue visas to foreign students. The approval is done by the Home Ministry and the immigration department. It is done at EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services) in the presence of immigration officers.

"We will continue to work with both parties, including tightening the conditions for granting of visas to curb terrorist activities among foreign students in this country," he told reporters after the Environmental Sustainability Programme with the Community titled "Water Treatment Using Mud Ball, in Besut, Terengganu last week.

Additionally, Idris said that the Ministry of Higher Education has enhanced monitoring Malaysian students abroad to ensure that they are not involved in terror related activities. "We have not received any reports of the involvement of our overseas students in terrorist activities. MOHE will continue to monitor them assisted by MOHA and the immigration department."

The students deported last month were from Al-Madinah International University (MEDIU) in Shah Alam. As a result, the university was in the spot light as they higher education authorities began questioning some of the teaching materials at the university. One particular subject that is now being reviewed is (Akidah or Faith). MOHE will have to wait for the results from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS).

"This is within the jurisdiction of MAIS. We will wait for their decision as the MQA cannot make any decision without the approval of MAIS, regardless of whether it is linked to deviant teachings or not."

Source: Bernama.