Malaysia's Home Minister Azmi Khalid said yesterday at a press conference in Beijing that investigations into the recent crimes against Chinese nationals will be open and transparent.

"Results of the investigation will be made public and everything will be transparent," Azmi said. 

According to a separate press statement from his delegation, Azmi told his Chinese counterparts that "Malaysia does not treat Chinese tourists any differently from other tourists." 

"The minister also expressed the government and people of Malaysia's shock and dismay at the recent incidents involving Chinese nationals," it said. 

Azmi is currently on a week-long tour of China in an attempt to mend fences following a series of abuse incidents involving Chinese nationals, including the case where a naked ethnic Chinese woman was forced to do squats before a Malaysian policewoman. 

He refused to reveal any details of the ongoing investigation, saying neither the woman nor the policewoman had been identified. 

However, he urged the woman in the video clip to come forward, and promised to grant her legal status if her residence is illegal. 

He said the prime minister had appointed a former chief justice to head the special inquiry commission. 

Azmi will also visit Shanghai and Guangzhou as part of Malaysia's campaign to reassure the Chinese public that Malaysia always welcomes Chinese tourists and business people, and is a safe country to visit. 

He also told reporters that the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing is simplifying visa application procedures for Chinese nationals. In two months' time, Chinese will be able to obtain their visas online. 

(China Daily December 7, 2005)