http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/5/8/nation/10895931&sec=nation
‘No handsome Pakistanis please’
BY JANE RITIKOS
KUALA LUMPUR: Bollywood-style looks appear to be a no-no for some Malaysian employers applying for workers from Pakistan.
This strange request came from an employer who obviously did not want romance to hinder the smooth operations of his firm, as experienced by some who had employed Bangladeshi workers in the past.
The request to supply Pakistani workers who are not handsome surprised the Overseas Employment Corporation of Pakistan (OEC) executive director Zafar Ali.
OEC managing director Masood-ur-Rahman Masood smiled at the idea that Malaysian men were “threatened” by the Pakistanis’ tall, dark and handsome looks.
“There should be no problems. Our two countries are friends and shouldn’t pose any problem to one another.
“Pakistanis have strong family ties, and are Muslims so there will not be any problems of that kind,” added Zafar.
Masood was here yesterday to meet and discuss with interested Malaysian employers on procedures to employ Pakistanis at the High Commission of Pakistan here.
He said while it had been reported that Malaysians feared extremists and militants entering the country in the process, none of the prospective employers had expressed this fear.
“What they stated was they wanted to be assured of workers who are capable and suitable for the jobs, and that they won’t run away,” he said.
He said all Pakistanis would be screened before being sent to work overseas and the OEC co-operated with the district police, federal investigation agency (FIA) and intelligence bureau in Pakistan in vetting their background.
“Certainly,” he said when asked if this would guarantee there would be no Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorists among those coming here.
Masood said that so far 25 Malaysian companies in the agriculture, construction, services and manufacturing sectors, had stated their intentions to employ Pakistanis.
