THIS IS REALLY EMBARASSING (FROM THE LENSE OF NIK ZAFRI)

There have been increasing reports of Malaysians traveling abroad on tourist visas with the actual intention of seeking employment. In some cases, individuals have been caught attempting to smuggle food items and prohibited substances, including illicit materials stored on their mobile devices. When questioned by immigration or border control authorities, some resort to weak or implausible excuses, claiming they do not understand English or blaming their parents for packing their bags without their knowledge.

There are also cases where travelers carry large amounts of undeclared cash or attempt to bypass customs checks by using the “Nothing to Declare” green lane, wrongly assuming they can avoid scrutiny. Such actions are serious offences in many countries and are often met with firm enforcement measures.

These behaviors not only violate the laws and regulations of the host countries but also tarnish the international image of Malaysian travelers. Offenders may be detained for various immigration or criminal offences, have their visas cancelled, be denied entry, or even be blacklisted from returning to those countries.

While the vast majority of Malaysians travel responsibly and comply with immigration and customs requirements, a small but concerning minority continues to underestimate the vigilance and authority of international border forces. The consequences of such misconduct are severe and can include legal prosecution, confiscation of goods or currency, and long-term restrictions on international travel.

Public education and greater awareness are essential to prevent these incidents. Travelers must understand that compliance with foreign laws is not optional and that dishonesty at border checkpoints can have lasting personal and national repercussions. POSTING 2 - PLACING PATRIOTISM AT THE RIGHT PLACE

This post is not meant to embarrass anyone. A friend of mine recently interviewed a postgraduate candidate from a reputable local public university. The candidate’s CV, written in English, reflected strong academic credentials and impressive experience. However, during the interview, it became apparent that the candidate lacked sufficient English communication skills, despite the fact that the role requires frequent travel to countries where English is the primary language.

(I chose not to mention that some CVs today may be enhanced using AI tools - something I don’t necessarily object to, provided the candidate genuinely understands the content they present) Anyway, my friend eventually selected another candidate to join the engineering team for a major construction project overseas.

Interestingly, the previously interviewed candidate questioned why the interview was conducted in English, even going so far as to suggest that my friend should have spoken to him in "Bahasa Ibunda", Bahasa Malaysia. I prefer not to comment further, as I am equally proficient in both Bahasa Malaysia and English. However, it seems clear that the candidate did not fully grasp the nature and requirements of the project, and instead made an unfounded accusation about my friend’s patriotism.