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Malaysia To Probe It Arrests

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Our Bureau BUSINESS STANDARD
Last Updated : Jan 28 2013 | 1:39 AM IST

The Malaysian foreign minister had asked the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident involving the arrest of 270 Indian professionals, Malaysian Minister for Entrepreneur Development Dato Seri Mohammed Nazri Abdul Aziz said.

Terming the incident as "most unfortunate", he said it was not a deliberate action and hoped to ascertain facts in a couple of days.

"Certainly, there is no deliberate policy against Indian nationals. If the allegations are true, action will be taken against those responsible," he said.

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Over 270 Indian nationals, mostly IT professionals, were rounded up on Sunday and 195 of them were arrested in Kuala Lumpur and ill-treated.

The government had lodged a strong protest with the Malaysian government over the high-handed treatment of the Indian nationals by the Malaysian police.

Aziz said the authorities in Kuala Lumpur had been making random checks on some areas to check illegal immigrants.

Stating that the incident did figure in his discussion with Aziz, Joshi said the visiting dignitary assured that he would look into the issue and take action against the offenders.

Meanwhile, India today asked Malaysia to provide quick answers to why such an action was resorted to.

New Delhi's request for a speedy response was conveyed by the Indian high commission in Kuala Lumpur to the Malaysian authorities. It was stressed that the entire incident needed to be looked into.

"Certainly, the issue is very much on the table," external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters observing that "this incident is causing a shadow on bilateral relations".

Contesting remarks made by visiting Malaysian Aziz that the action was part of the drive against illegal immigrants, the spokesman said the campaign was basically aimed at unskilled workers pouring into Malaysia from other countries and not against highly qualified persons many of whom had been given smart cards issued by the Malaysian authorities with proper employment visas.

"To equate this category with illegal immigrants is wrong", he said.

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First Published: Mar 13 2003 | 12:00 AM IST

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