Africans in Malaysia
Total population | |
---|---|
70,000 (2012 estimate)[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Kuala Lumpur · Negeri Sembilan · Selangor | |
Languages | |
English · Malay · Arabic | |
Religion | |
Islam · Christianity | |
Related ethnic groups | |
African people |
African Malaysians are people of full or partial African descent who were born in or immigrated to Malaysia. Large-scale immigration from Africa to Malaysia is only a recent phenomenon, with Europe and Asia traditionally being the largest sources of migration to Malaysia.
African Malaysians are of diverse cultural, linguistic, racial, religious, educational, and employment backgrounds. The majority of African emigrants to Malaysia are from southern and eastern Africa. Most come as students, businessmen and tourists while some are illegal residents in the country.[2][3] Immigration of Africans to Malaysia and other Asian countries has become increasingly common due to tighter restrictions on immigration in Europe.[1] Many of them also come to Malaysia for "medical tourism" due to a much cheaper cost than in Europe.[3]
In 2012, around 79,352 Africans entered Malaysia legally and 25,467 student visas were issued to Africans.[1][2]
Illegal immigrant and crime issues
From January to October 2011, the Malaysian Immigration Department has arrested 764 Africans, and compounded 1,107 Africans with other 146 been deported back to their countries. There has been much emphasis on involvement in crimes such as drug trafficking, rape, robbery, murder and ‘black money’,[4][5]
Further reading
References
- 1 2 3 Najad Abdullahi (15 August 2013). "African migrants aspire to a better life in Asia". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- 1 2 Nigel Edgar (25 March 2012). "African students appeal for understanding that not all of them are bad". The Star. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- 1 2 "Globalisation brings more Africans to Malaysia". Bernama. The Star. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ↑ Nancy Lai (11 December 2011). "Be wary of 25,000 African 'students'". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ↑ "Taking a closer look at the African community in Malaysia". The Borneo Post. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2014.