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KL condo says no to foreigners

This article is more than 12 months old

Management says residents do not object, 
and policy is a 'preventive measure'

The Australian had rented a unit at the condominium unit in Shah Alam through Airbnb, a website for people to list, find and rent lodging.

But when Mr Wayne Parry arrived at the complex he was greeted by a banner at the lobby which read, 'Foreigner you are not welcome to stay here…!'

He told Malay Mail Online: "As a result of the banner, I didn't feel comfortable there and I only slept there.

"I left the apartment early in the morning each day and returned quite late at night because I didn't want to be there.

"I wanted to stay somewhere local, but I now know that 'local' in Kuala Lumpur is not always advisable for foreigners."

Mr Parry has since moved to another location in Kuala Lumpur for the rest of his stay, after spending the seven nights he had already paid for at the unit.

He said that he did not face any trouble despite having stayed there for a week.

He added that the unit owner tried to assure him that the banner was not directed at him, the report said.

A committee member of the condominium's joint management body said that the no-foreigner rule was the official policy.

Ms Norhayaty Ariffin told liberal news portal Malaysian Insider that "foreigners can stay here as guests but not for more than three months".

She said that tenants should inform the management office if they are planning to bring in foreign guests to live with them for long periods.

"It will be good because we can inform other tenants, if they have enquiries about foreigners living there.

"It has been in the house rules since 2012," Malay Mail Online quoted her as saying.

'PREVENTIVE'

Ms Norhayaty, who mans the condominium management office, also said they do not allow any of the 440 units in the condominium to be used as "hostels".

She said the policy was put in place to avoid untoward incidents, explaining that foreigners were "not necessarily knowledgeable of local culture and customs".

"It is a preventive measure," she said.

None of the residents have raised objections, which means they agree with the policy, she added.

This is not the first time that the no-foreigner policy has been enforced in condominiums.

Malay Mail Online reported that in 2013 a condominium in Bandar Sri Subang, Petaling Jaya, had allegedly banned African tenants.

Another condominium in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, allegedly disallowed even visits by Africans.


I wanted to stay somewhere local, but I now know that 'local' in Kuala Lumpur is not always advisable for foreigners.

- Mr Wayne Perry

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