KLANG VALLEY conquered by foreigners - study

KUALA LUMPUR -At least 30 locations in the Klang Valley, including residential areas and commercial centres, are 'conquered' by foreigners, according to studies conducted by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

Some of these places are so highly populated by foreigners that they are known as Cambodian village, Achehnese village, Myanmar market, mini Jakarta or African condominium compared to their original names.

The faces of Indonesians, Bangladeshis, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Myanmars, Nepalese, Chinese and Africans are becoming more familiar in restaurants, shopping centres, factories and ports, Berita Harian said in an exclusive report today.

In some localities, it said, foreigners outnumbered the locals, making it look like they were being conquered by the outsiders who also monopolised business premises such as grocery stores, markets, food outlets and barber shops.

According to statistics, out of 6 million people in the Klang Valley, 222,843 are registered foreigners residing in Kuala Lumpur, 577,427 are illegal immigrants registered under the Home Ministry's 6P Programme and 438,425 are illegal immigrants yet to be registered.

Berita Harian's survey in areas conquered by foreigners around Sungai Buloh, Selayang, Puchong and Kajang showed that locals tend to feel uneasy with the increasing presence of foreigners in their neighbourhood.

"Most Malaysians claimed that the rising number of foreigners in their village, condominium, apartment or housing estates resulted in many locals leaving the vicinity as they could not stand the attitude or disturbances they (the foreigners) created," the paper said.

Quoting IIUM Sociology and Anthropology Department lecturer Prof Dr Fatimah Daud, the daily said various factors have made it easier for foreigners to pick an area and turn it into 'their own' or to start a business.

Based on studies done over 10 years, she said the foreigners prefer to settle in areas where they have relatives or friends and also places with plenty of job opportunities.

-thesundaily