UK riots have Malaysians there on edge

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian community in the United Kingdom has been gripped with fear and anxiety in the midst of the riots there.

Rahmah Ghazali, who lives in Sheffield, said the place has always been a multicultural city, known as the City of Sanctuary as it houses thousands of asylum seekers and immigrants.

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However, Rahmah, 33, said she does not feel safe going out, as there were cases in which those with the hijab were attacked by anti-immigration demonstrators.

“I live in a mixed area, so going to the local shops is not a problem, but I will try to avoid going into the city centre.

“I won’t lie because there is always fear for our safety. In Middlesbrough, we saw drivers being attacked by thugs who did not let them go through,” said the writer when contacted yesterday.

She added that a riot was about to take place in the city centre on Sunday afternoon, but this was thwarted by counter-protesters who gathered there much earlier.

“One of the rioters was arrested. However, in Rotherham, just miles from Sheffield, things escalated after rioters set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers,” she said.

Data scientist Matthew Leong, 29, who is based in London, said the situation there was less tense compared with Manchester and Liverpool.

“There are protests in Westminster but no violence due to police presence. However, I will keep tabs on the situation and hopefully, it doesn’t spread to London,” he said.

Another Malaysian, Matt Tan, 26, an architect who works in Manchester, said although the situation seems to have improved, tensions still appear to be high.

“I think the general public is still on high alert. There is still a police presence but mostly located in the city centre,” he said.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ailsa Terry said: “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic incident at a dance class in Southport.

“As Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said, a tiny mindless minority of rioters have used this incident as a pretext to commit criminal and violent disorder.

“The Prime Minister has been clear that rioters, including online actors, will face the full force of the law, and that far-right hatred has no place in our communities.

“Keeping the streets safe is one of the top missions of the government,” Terry said in a statement yesterday.

The UK Home Office is providing affected communities with vital support and reassurance, including strengthening security around mosques, schools and other public spaces, she added.

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“I want to reassure Malaysian students and travellers that the United Kingdom remains a safe destination. The UK Prime Minister on Sunday condemned far-right thuggery in his televised address as riots continue across the country following the deadly knife attack in Southport.”

There was unrest in several areas, including in Rotherham Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent and Blackpool in England, and Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Missiles were thrown, shops looted and police attacked. Bricks, bottles and flares were also thrown at police officers in Liverpool.

Around 1,000 anti-immigration protesters were confronted by counter-protesters in the northern city. Police have also responded to violent scenes in other parts of the United Kingdom, including Rotherham, Middlesbrough and Bolton.

More than 150 people have been arrested since Saturday.

Wisma Putra has urged Malaysians residing in the United Kingdom or travelling to the country to stay away from areas affected by protests over the stabbing incident in Southport.

It also urged Malaysians to remain vigilant and follow the latest updates as well as guidance from local authorities.

“Malaysians who have not yet registered with the Malaysian High Commission in London are strongly encouraged to do so immediately to ensure they receive timely information and assistance,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement on Sunday.

According to reports, rioting erupted in several UK cities, linked to a mass stabbing last Monday that resulted in the death of three young girls.

A 17-year-old has been charged with murdering the three girls, who were stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

The teenager is also facing 10 counts of attempted murder after eight other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack.