Wuhan virus: Malaysians' call for ban on tourists from China takes on racial tone

A poster informing passengers as they arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Jan 21, 2020, that there is coronavirus-screening ahead. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

KUALA LUMPUR - The uproar in multiracial Malaysia over the perceived mishandling of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak points to growing racial and xenophobic sentiments, especially among the country's Malay-Muslim majority.

No new cases have surfaced since the last of four Chinese nationals, all from Wuhan, tested positive on Jan 25, and no local transmissions have been reported.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.