KUALA LUMPUR - Four students from China who overstayed their visa because of a mistake by their college have managed to return home, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong said.

He said that after explanations were given at the Immigration Department, an officer allowed the four to renew their visa and fined them RM1,000 (S$413) each instead of blacklisting them for overstaying.

This enabled the students to return to China without any complications.

"The students have also been allowed to come back after Chinese New Year to continue their studies," he said.

Last month, the students went to Chong when they were told that they had overstayed their visas for more than two months.

Chong, together with China Student Association (CSA) chairman Wang Jit, brought the matter to Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung.

"Dr Hou apologised and expressed his disappointment at the situation."

"He promised that a full investigation would be made and the college responsible would be answerable to the ministry," he said.

Chong said that if the college was found to be in wrong, the ministry would take stern action and make sure the college compensated the students.

Chong also said that his department would work with the ministry to ensure that such incidents did not recur.

He said students who had similar problems could call him at 03-2161-5678 or e-mail him at michaelchong@mca.org.my or Wang at friendjiwang@gmail.com.

This article was first published in The Star/Asia News Network.