Due to her landlord’s fears of the coronavirus outbreak, a Malaysian student was evicted from her home in Perth - though she didn’t even travel to China!
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Helen (not her real name) rented a room at a townhouse in Perth’s southern suburbs in November.
Photo: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
She had returned to Perth on February 4th, at 4.00 AM after celebrating Chinese New Year with her family in Malaysia and when she arrived at her home, the locks were changed and her belongings were laid outside the premise along with a note that said she is “no longer welcomed”.
“House in lockdown due to coronavirus. Due to your failure to stay in contact with me with the World Health Organisation GLOBAL EMERGENCY over coronavirus you are no longer welcome in this house.”
Helen said that she did not receive any text messages when she was in Malaysia but had a few text messages from the landlord after she landed in Australia.
Photo: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
She told ABC that she had told the local authorities but they could not help her as she had no written agreement. Helen stayed at the premise on a verbal agreement paying AUD86 (RM239) a week for the room - including bills and other expenses.
This caught the attention of the Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan who warned Australians for racist behaviour, using the coronavirus as an excuse and condemned the act as “disgraceful” and “un-Australian”.
“There are still no confirmed cases in WA, but we are hearing far too many stories about people facing hate and discrimination just for their heritage. We have welcomed students from all backgrounds and countries from around the world for 60 years,” he said on a Facebook post.
Many Australians also commented on the post and condemning the action of the landlords.
Photo: Facebook (Mark McGowan)
Helen is now staying at her friend’s house and Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken steps to look into the matter.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
