Malaysian students abroad are hanging their heads in shame and crawling under their desks because of Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar.

The reason for this is his controversial remark, in response to cases of alleged police abuse here, that foreigners can pack up and leave if they felt Malaysia was too cruel.

While Noh has blamed the media for twisting his words, Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said Malaysian students overseas are bearing the brunt of it.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Lim said the remark "has gravely damaged national interest and shamed Malaysians abroad to the extent that students 'hide away' in humiliation from their Chinese peers".

He claimed to have received complaints from Malaysian students in the United Kingdom, lamenting that it was their 'darkest day' and that they had never felt so ashamed and humiliated of their nationality.

Their emails, he added, stated that the students were avoiding or hiding from their Chinese coursemates.

According to Lim, one China student had this to say to a Malaysian student: "I thought Malaysia is very open and democratic, but it seems worse than China."

As for Noh, the opposition leader said his accusation that the media had misinterpreted his statement revealed that he was 'unrepentant and recalcitrant'.

Apologise to media

Meanwhile, Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam), who was also present at the press conference, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must ask Noh to apologise to the media.

"Noh blamed the media as misinterpreting him. The prime minister should direct him to respect the media," she added.

His remark had even ruffled Abdullah's feathers, who said government leaders must be more circumspect about the statements they make.

Noh, who said he was willing to apologise if his statement had offended certain quarters, failed to turn up at Parliament this morning.