Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad warns the Philippines against influx of foreign nationals

Filipino senators were told last year that at least 200,000 Chinese nationals have flocked to Manila since President Rodrigo Duterte was elected in 2016

‘Foreign direct investment should not involve bringing huge numbers of foreigners to live in the country,’ the 93-year-old Malaysian premier said

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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Manila. Photo: AP

Published: 3:39pm, 7 Mar 2019Updated: 10:38pm, 7 Mar 2019

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday warned the Philippines against letting in foreigners who could “disturb the political equations” as President Rodrigo Duterte’s Beijing pivot sparks an influx of Chinese workers.

At least 200,000 Chinese nationals have flocked to Manila since Duterte’s 2016 election, many of them employed by online gaming firms that cater to Chinese players, a Philippine Senate inquiry was told late last year.

This has touched off concern, with some Filipino politicians alleging it drives up property prices, takes away jobs from locals and even affects tax revenues.

Mahathir, who has suspended several of his nation’s major projects with China, warned during an official visit to the Philippines against allowing a surge of foreigners.

“Foreign direct investment should not involve bringing huge numbers of foreigners to live in the country because that might disturb the political equations in the country,” Mahathir told ABS-CBN television in an interview.