Africans in Malaysia

Malaysians of African origin

Total population
70,000 (2012 estimate)
Regions with significant populations
Kuala Lumpur · Negeri Sembilan · Selangor
Languages
English · Malay · Arabic
Religion
Islam · Christianity
Related ethnic groups
African people

African Malaysians are people of full or partial African descent who were born in or immigrated to Malaysia. Large-scale immigration from Africa to Malaysia is only a recent phenomenon, with Europe and Asia traditionally being the largest sources of migration to Malaysia.

African Malaysians are of diverse cultural, linguistic, racial, religious, educational, and employment backgrounds. The majority of African emigrants to Malaysia are from southern and eastern Africa. Most come as students, businessmen and tourists while some are illegal residents in the country. Immigration of Africans to Malaysia and other Asian countries has become increasingly common due to tighter restrictions on immigration in Europe. Many of them also come to Malaysia for "medical tourism" due to a much cheaper cost than in Europe.

In 2012, around 79,352 Africans entered Malaysia legally and 25,467 student visas were issued to Africans.

Illegal immigrant and crime issues

From January to October 2011, the Malaysian Immigration Department has arrested 764 Africans, and compounded 1,107 Africans with other 146 been deported back to their countries. There has been much emphasis on involvement in crimes such as drug trafficking, rape, robbery, murder and ‘black money’,

Further reading

• Malaysians' opinions about the African community AsiaOne