KUALA LUMPUR: Higher figures on Malaysians being refused entry into the United Kingdom in the past three months do not tell the whole story.

The fact of the matter is that the average monthly figure this year is lower than that of last year.

An average of 69 Malaysians were barred from entering the United Kingdom this year, compared with 111 a month last year.

It was 135 on average a month in 2006.

A British High Commission official said the number of people affected in the last three months of the year was higher than the annual average.
However, she could not disclose the monthly figures for the last three months as the High Commission was only allowed to divulge figures until August this year.

In the previous two years, about 3,000 Malaysians were denied entry, she said.

She said the reason for the downward trend this year was possibly the tightening of immigration controls by the UK Border Agency to reduce the number of those entering the country with questionable motives.

"Those who want to come to the UK for not so genuine reasons now know that it is not easy to get in. So, many of them are not trying."

About 176,000 Malaysians visit the UK annually, of which 87,000 are visitors.

Malaysia is among the top five nations whose citizens were refused entry at entry points into the UK.

This list changes on a monthly basis although Malaysia constantly appears on it, along with Brazil and South Africa, the official said.

According to her, those who failed the "immigration interview" at UK ports would be kept in a holding centre with access to amenities and food.

Immigration officers will make arrangements for their return on the next available flight to their last port of departure.

"If they have flown in on a one-way air ticket, the cost of the return trip will either be borne by the British government or sometimes, by the airline taking them back.

"But this will just add on to the time period on the ban that will be imposed on them from entering UK.

"However, if the offender agrees to pay for his return journey, then it will lessen the ban period that UK immigration will impose on the person,"

Malaysia is also in the top 20 for overall immigration abuses in the UK and in the top 10 in the category of overstayers.

It was reported in July that Malaysians visiting the country may have to apply for visas from next year.

Currently, Malaysian visitors enjoy a six-month visa. Only those who plan to stay longer than six months to work or study require a visa.

Malaysia is among 11 countries being evaluated to determine if their citizens need visas to enter Britain.

The others are Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

According to a ministerial statement issued by British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, these countries were being reviewed to gauge the level of risk they posed to the UK in terms of illegal immigration, organised crime and other threats.

It said that the countries needed to demonstrate a commitment to put into effect credible and realistic plans to reduce the risks and begin implementation of these plans by the end of the review period.

According to the official, one of the main problems with Malaysians in the UK was overstaying.

She added, however, that the British government was happy with efforts taken by the Malaysian government and authorities to comply with UK regulations.

"One of the improvements seen is the beefing up of security at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in terms of security checks on travellers.

"We also see the Malaysian government doing a lot to urge Malaysians who have overstayed in UK to return home."

She said the outcome of the visa requirement status for Malaysians visiting UK would be known in the first quarter of next year.