Malaysians in Sydney, which is being rocked by racial riots, are safe, according to an officer from the Malaysian Consulate in New South Wales today.

"So far there have been no incidents (involving Malaysians) reported to us,"said the officer, who declined to be named, when contacted.

However, he said the consulate had alerted all Malaysian students as well as citizens in Sydney to

be on alert.

"We are advising students not to take a chance. Don't go out at night. We are very concerned about the situation. We have e-mailed students advising them to be alert.

"Now is the holiday season so many of them have returned home to Malaysia. So we are lucky in that sense," he added.

According to the officer, there are about 2,000 Malaysian students in Sydney but no official figures were available on Malaysian citizens there.

The officer himself is concerned about his safety since he has a Middle Eastern appearance. "It's not easy to cope. Now I don't go to the beach or go out at night," he said.

More violence

The riots erupted at the Cronulla beach in Southern Sydney over the weekend where people with Middle Eastern appearances were set upon.

This led to reprisals from Middle Eastern youths and officials there say they expect more violence to come.

Malaysian Yong Kah Wei, 27, who lives about a five-minute drive away from one of the riot hit areas, Maroubra beach, said he is not overly concerned about the situation.

"I am not worried to the point that I do not want to go out at night. I don't think the impact is very big on me," added the engineering consultant from Banting, Selangor when contacted.

According to him, only those who reside close to the beaches are concerned about their safety.

Yong, who is an Australian permanent resident, said this is the first time riots have happened since he moved there with his wife five years ago.