Report: Singaporean and Malaysian students hurt in racist attack in Melbourne

KUALA LUMPUR (April 20): A Malaysian and Singaporean, both students in a university in Melbourne, have become victims of a racist attack, the Singapore-based The New Paper reported today.

Both were out getting groceries when they were reported to have been verbally abused and assaulted “in the heart of Melbourne”.

The attackers are believed to have been fuelled by ideas that Asians brought the COVID-19 disease to Australia.

The New Paper reported the Victoria Police describing the attackers as “skinny Caucasians” who reportedly shouted "coronavirus" while “hurling death threats at the victims”.

Melbourne’s Nine News also reported that the students were told to "go back to China" and were assaulted when they responded to the taunts.

Nine News also showed a video of “a woman in a sleeveless parka and white skirt grabbing one student by the hair and punching her repeatedly on the head before dragging her to the ground and kicking her”, reported the Singapore daily.

Her accomplice in a pink jacket also pushed the other student, and “blocks her and another woman from helping the first victim”.

Meanwhile, University of Melbourne, vice-chancellor Duncan Maskell condemned the attack and said that "this is a disgusting and unprovoked attack on two of our female students”.

"These senseless and vicious attacks on two young women must never be tolerated in our community. The people who did this are a disgrace," he added.

Melbourne mayor Sally Capp also has harsh words about the attack: "I am appalled by the disgraceful attack on two young students... The violence displayed is completely unacceptable. It does not reflect the values that Melburnians stand for or the behaviour we expect in our city."

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