Malaysian students want longer visas

BANDUNG: Malaysians find it difficult to study in Indonesia as they are issued only 12-month student visas, an overseas student service foundation executive says.

Firdaus Ali, who runs the Widia Humaniora foundation, said around 2,100 Malaysian students had to renew their visas every year. He suggested that the Indonesian government issue them student visas for the duration of their studies.

"Many Malaysians are interested in studying here, which means extra revenue for Indonesia," Firdaus said on Wednesday, adding that some 27,000 Indonesians were studying in Malaysia.

Such immigration hassles await 22 Malaysians who have won scholarships to study at Padjadjaran University's School of Medicine this academic year.

Taslim Sarbini, the education attache at the Malaysian Embassy, said on Wednesday the students would serve at Indonesian hospitals or clinics for 10 years after graduation. -- JP