Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced this policy change today due to a shortage of guards with a military background in Nepal. The Nepal-only policy was enforced in 2006.

“We find it difficult to get guards from Nepal with military or police background these days.

“Due to the shortage, the government has agreed to allow firms to hire from two other countries besides Nepal.

“However, local guards must still be given priority and the local to foreigner ratio must continue to be adhered to,” he told a meeting with security firms here, Star Online reported.

The other two source countries have not been identified yet.

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed had previously suggested looking at Sri Lanka as a source country for guards.

MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh however immediately objected, saying any move to hire them must take into consideration the sensitivities of the Tamil community in the country.

In a statement he issued, he said Sri Lankan soldiers had a horrendous human rights record and the government must understand the feelings of Tamils in Malaysia.