Malaysian students in Japan ashamed of Anwar supporters’ flag burning

(Bernama) – The Malaysian Students Association of Japan (MSAJ) is disappointed with the antics of supporters of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who burnt the Japanese flag in front of the Japanese embassy in Kuala Lumpur, in protest against its Immigration officials’ move to bar Anwar’s entry into Japan.

MSAJ president Zed Al Habshee Syed Abdul Hamid said: “We as Malaysians in
Japan felt ashamed to meet with locals or talk about the matter”.

“However, despite the incident, we are still being treated well here from teachers, friends and other Japanese.

“In fact, a television station here was broadcasting shows about attractive holiday places in Malaysia the same week the incident happened. That’s what made us ashamed,” he said in an email interview.

At present, about 3,000 Malaysians are studying in Japan, mostly in the districts of Kanto (Tokyo) and Kansai (Osaka), while others are in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Shikoku and Kyushu.

Most are studying engineering.

On Tuesday, about 30 Anwar supporters gathered at the Japanese embassy in Kuala Lumpur to protest against Japan’s move to deny Anwar entry into the country.