'It's entirely up to you' is the message that has emerged from the Malaysian government's decision to accept immigration procedures being put in place by the US and Canadian governments.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ( photo ) said travellers should decide if they still want to visit the US, bearing in mind the hassle that they will have to undergo with additional steps to screen Malaysians and visitors to Malaysia.

The US policy, which takes effect today, allows for immigration authorities to require some Malaysians or travellers to Malaysia to be specially registered, fingerprinted and photographed upon entering the US.

Malaysians heading to Canada, meanwhile, are now required to obtain a visa.

Actions 'unnecessary'

Asked to comment on the situation, Abdullah noted that each country has its own way of making rules.

"The concern of the US over the threat of terrorism is to the extent that they would take such actions. We think these are unnecessary actions," he told a press conference today in Kuala Lumpur.

"We cannot ask them to change their laws. We have our own laws and we too wish for others to respect our laws."

On whether relations with the US would be affected by the new policy, Abdullah said bilateral relations would be maintained as at present.

"It is the perception of threat that is difficult to get out of their minds. They are prompted to take action because of what they experienced during the Sept 11 [terrorist attacks]," he said.

Abdullah said his main concern was to convey the message that Malaysia does not like to be discriminated against by other countries and to be labelled as a 'terrorist-risk country'.

"I did mention this [to the Americans] and I did the best that I could on the issue of visa delays. I was assured that the time taken to issue a visa would be reduced substantially but now, something else comes up," he said.

"I am aware that (references) have been made to fingerprinting, but what can we do?"

The deputy premier recently went on a month-long trip to the US where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly and met with senior members of the Bush administration.

Ensure continued stability

Abdullah dismissed concerns that the move by the US would affect investor confidence in the country, saying that several investors have assured him that they still consider Malaysia the best place to invest.

"Yesterday, I met a group of investors who had some surveys undertaken to find out where best to invest. They [found] that their best bet is still Malaysia," he said.

Abdullah said investors who are in Malaysia have faced no problems working here, while those who are planning to invest here have received good pre-investment assessments.

"The fact that we have been taking action against elements that are involved in certain activities that will pose a threat to security and stability goes to show that Malaysia is very serious when it comes to ensuring continued stability," he added.

Last Friday, Malaysian police arrested a man said to be the leader of the Malaysia Mujahidin Group (KMM) in Johor, although eight other fugitives from the group are still at large.

Since last year, Malaysian police have arrested 62 suspected members of the KMM under the Internal Security Act which allows for detention without trial.

Abdullah 'screened'

On another matter, Abdullah downplayed the indignance of several parliamentarians over an incident at the Los Angeles airport, where he was asked to remove his shoes and belt in line with airport security measures.

"I had to go through the metal detector door and it went off. The first thing they asked was for me to take off my shoes. At other airports, the detectors did not sound so I was not asked to do so...I saw that the pilots too had to remove their shoes," he explained.

During the debate on the Budget 2003 at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Zulhasnan Rafique (BN-Wangsa Maju) said the airport authorities had "embarrassed" Abdullah with the checks although he holds a diplomatic passport.