KUALA LUMPUR Rising complaints from Malaysian women of their husbands having affairs have prompted the government to form a committee to keep tabs on foreigners in the sex trade, a report said Saturday.

The committee, headed by Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung, will comprise officers from the education and immigration departments, local governments and police, The Star said.

Apart from complaints from Malaysian wives, Chor was quoted as saying that there were also rising cases of tourists who had come on one-month social visits but engaged in prostitution to earn extra income.

"We also heard that foreign tourists and students from China, who had come in big numbers, were working at karaoke joints and other entertainment outlets as guest relations officers to earn extra money," he said.

Immoral activities

"This will indirectly lead to immoral activities," he said, adding that the committee would seek ways to check the problem.

Chor said the country had seen a steady increase in foreign student intakes in the last three to four years but they were not allowed to work while studying here.

"We gain foreign exchange and it is in line with the government's objective to make Malaysia the centre of higher learning in Asia but we will not allow the country's image to be tarnished by undesirable elements," he added. AFP