The recent arrest in Malaysia of six Chinese suspected burglars without legal entry documents has raised concerns about a potential increase in crime. Some members of the public believe that visa-free arrivals from China, coupled with Malaysia’s lax border controls, are making it easier for criminals to slip into the country undetected.
The Chinese suspects allegedly used rented cars to target houses identified by their Malaysian accomplice, funding their stay at three-star hotels with proceeds from stolen items. Chinese citizens can currently visit Malaysia for up to 30 days without a visa, a policy change aimed at boosting tourism and investments post-pandemic.
However, some Malaysians worry that this influx of Chinese visitors could also bring about crime and gang-related issues, exacerbating existing challenges like cyber scams led by Chinese crime networks. There are fears that increased China-Malaysia collaborations may attract more Triad activities to the country.