Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Refugee unrest in Malaysia after deportation bungle
- Malaysia Prepares For Ageing Nation As World Population Reaches Seven Billion
- Bar Council Asked To State Views On Anwar's Action In Court
- On being detained at Kuala Lumpur airport
- Malaysia's Slowing Performance
- Malaysia's Opposition Chief: Country Needs to Prepare for Slowdown
- ‘Male Y’ DNA profile tainted, Sodomy II trial told
- Perak mufti says Malays must defend race
- MCA founder’s granddaughter lauds Guan Eng’s policies in Penang
- Najib: Auditioning for Umno warlords
- Malaysians abroad may soon be allowed to vote via post
- NEP under attack: Dr M to the rescue
- ‘Lab did not meet international standards’
- EC mulls using both biometric system and indelible ink
- Malaysia UNHCR Accused of Betraying Refugees
| Refugee unrest in Malaysia after deportation bungle Posted: 25 Aug 2011 01:42 AM PDT By Kirsty Needham, The Sydney Morning Herald THE United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia has admitted thousands of refugees have been incorrectly issued letters by the Malaysian government marked ''return to home country'', raising widespread fears of deportation. The Refugee Convention principle of ''non-refoulement'', and Malaysia's commitment that 800 refugees from Australia would not be returned to the country from which they fled, underpin the federal government's defence to a High Court challenge to the Malaysia deal. Up to 10,000 refugees descended on an immigration office in Putrajaya, a suburb of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday after the UNHCR was told, at late notice by the Malaysian government, that refugees must immediately register under a new biometric system designed to record illegal and legal migrant workers. Witnesses who spoke to the Herald said RELA - the vigilante force that was banished from Malaysian streets this year because of human rights concerns - was then called in by the immigration department as chaos erupted. Advertisement: Story continues below A co-ordinator of the Malaysian human rights group Suaram, Andika Wahab, told the Herald that the situation was shocking and he saw RELA members carrying sticks. ''I didn't see RELA beat individuals, but I saw RELA hit the wall and push people. The situation was very overcrowded,'' he said. The refugees became alarmed at about 4pm when it was realised that, after having their fingerprints taken, some were being issued letters stamped: ''Return to home country''. ''They feared they would be deported to Burma,'' he said. A spokeswoman for the UNHCR in Malaysia, Yante Ismail, said the document should have been given only to migrant workers, and not refugees. ''When the UNHCR learnt about this yesterday, we immediately raised this matter with the government, who will now rectify the document for all UNHCR-registered refugees and asylum seekers,'' she said. ''Understandably this has created confusion among refugees and asylum seekers, and this has created great anxiety among this population,'' Ms Ismail said. She said the force used by Malaysian police was proportionate. She said the police had taken women, children and the elderly to the front of the line to avoid physical danger. Because ''overwhelming numbers'' turned up on Tuesday, refugees would now be processed in batches instead, she said. Refugee groups said yesterday they still had not received an explanation for the letters. Dr Irene Fernandez, the executive director of the refugee group, Tenaganita, said it was ''problematic'' that refugees were given the wrong letters. Dr Fernandez said RELA ''became quite abusive, started pushing them and not treating them well''. The opposition immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison, was kicked out of Federal Parliament yesterday after questioning the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, over a Malaysian website report that RELA had beaten ''children, mothers and the elderly'' in the queue. He later said, ''the beatings that have been reported and the fact that refugees have gone to be registered and received papers that say: 'Return to home country','' were serious issues for the Malaysia swap. The Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, said: ''there is no guarantee people who are found by the UNHCR to be refugees in need of protection will not be returned to their home country at the whim of the Malaysian government.'' Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/refugee-unrest-in-malaysia-after-deportation-bungle-20110825-1jcj2.html#ixzz1W3lLrv54 |
| Malaysia Prepares For Ageing Nation As World Population Reaches Seven Billion Posted: 24 Aug 2011 10:53 PM PDT Based upon the projection rate and current trend, the Malaysian population is expected to reach 35 million by 2020, with 3.4 million being senior citizens. (Bernama) -- Although mankind is some two million years old, the world's population has grown slowly during most of human history. |
| Bar Council Asked To State Views On Anwar's Action In Court Posted: 24 Aug 2011 10:45 PM PDT
(Bernama) -- The Bar Council was today asked to state its views on the action of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who has chosen to give his evidence from the dock in his ongoing sodomy trial. Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin told Bernama he was curious to know what was the Bar Council's stand on the matter.
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| On being detained at Kuala Lumpur airport Posted: 24 Aug 2011 10:42 PM PDT By Imran Khan, Guardian Malaysia didn't want me to enter the country to gather evidence about how ethnic Indians were treated by colonial Britain. In the Hollywood film The Terminal Tom Hanks plays (with obligatory mangled foreign accent) a character who is trapped in New York's JFK airport. Last week, I had a similar experience at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Malaysia. Whereas Tom Hanks's character spends years trapped, I was only there for a few hours. The episode was both humiliating and enlightening. I had been engaged by a Malaysian lawyer, Waytha Moorthy, to look into taking action against the British government for its role in the exploitation of Indian Hindus during Malaysia's period as a colony, and its failure to protect their rights when independence was declared in 1957. Ethnic Indians make up just over 6% of Malaysia's 28.3 million people, while Muslim Malays account for just over 61% and ethnic Chinese some 25%. A coalition led by the United Malays National Organisation has ruled since independence, which, according to Moorthy, had led to widespread human rights violations and discrimination of the Indian Malaysian population. About 70% live in abject poverty and one in six are effectively stateless as they are denied a birth certificate. Moorthy originally lodged his action on the 31 August 2007, the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence. However, the claim stalled following the arrest of the lawyers involved under a draconian piece of legislation called the Internal Security Act. Moorthy had demanded compensation for Indian Malaysians whose ancestors were brought in by the British government as indentured labour. The claim was that, after granting independence, the British had left the Indians without representation and at the mercy of the Malays. So, the plan was to visit Malaysia and gather evidence and claims that would form the foundation of the case. A recent case involving individuals tortured by British soldiers in colonial Kenya gave fresh impetus to the proceedings. My pending arrival in Malaysia had receivedadvance publicity from local police who had sought to intimidate organisers of the venue where I was expected to meet potential claimants. There was, therefore, some trepidation when I presented myself to the immigration desk on arrival at KLIA. As soon as my passport was handed over at the immigration desk, the slow cogs of government bureaucracy moved into action. Without explanation I was taken to the immigration office. KLIA is an impressive building; made of polished steel and glass it has a central hub with four long offshoots. It is populated by the ubiquitous outlets that make most airports seem identical. However,, the immigration office was a more spartan affair. Teams of immigration officers sat behind desks shouting the names of those refused entry to come forward and explain their reasons for trying to enter. Handing my passport over to one of them I noticed the large sign on the back wall of the office – "Service with a smile" it said. True to their motto a pleasant immigration officer smiled while she told me that I had been refused entry. I asked for an explanation and was told that the immigration department had no problem with me – the decision to refuse me entry had come from the very top. I asked for written reasons. The officer agreed that I should be given them but none were given. It was not until I was in transit in Dubai that I found out that I had been classed as a "prohibited immigrant". I still have no idea what that means and despite the involvement of the British consulate and the British government cabinet office, I found myself stranded, waiting for my return flight. It was clear that the decision was a political one – I had been refused entry to stop me doing work that the government of Malaysia did not want to take place. Thousands were expected to attend meetings that had been organised. I was to see the ways in which government policies had affected the lives of Indian Malaysians in all parts of the country. Yet, like many governments which seek to stifle opposition, its actions are often irrational because, while refusing me entry into the country, it had allowed my colleague who had been travelling with me to do so. He is now meeting all those potential claimants and collecting evidence to progress the claim. Meanwhile, sitting in the immigration office at KLIA gave me a glimpse of how differently people are treated in Malaysia. Sitting beside me awaiting interrogation were men – predominantly young, on their own and originating from Pakistan, India or sub-Saharan Africa. They would be summoned to their meeting with an immigration officer via an intermediary – always a Malaysian of Chinese origin wearing a coloured paper bracelet to signify that he had clearance to come into the airport. He would order his charge in terms which reminded me of a master/servant relationship – a click of the fingers, a terse command, the use of their surname only. These men appeared to be workers entering the country through the patronage of their Chinese bosses. It didn't take much imagination to work out how they would be treated once they left the airport terminal. These were the lucky ones. Those sharing my predicament were marched off to a detention centre before being sent back to their country of origin. Thankfully, I was told that I had been spared such a fate. Nevertheless, the experience was a humiliating one. Without a passport or able to leave the terminal I could not check in; I was escorted to the aircraft to be seated; my passport was handed over to the aircraft crew who viewed me with suspicion and contempt. I have often thought that lawyers, as well as doctors, should consider what it is like to be in their clients' position so that it can inform their approach. This was one occasion when I truly felt what it must be like for detainees all over the world – coming up against foreign jurisdiction; facing a decision which may be wrong and unjust; being treated without dignity; occupying a twilight world of ever-changing time zones and feeling utterly powerless. Having returned to the UK, I am even more determined to ensure that the issues raised by the case are highlighted beyond the borders of Malaysia. Like many in Britain, I had only thought of Malaysia as the country advertised in brochures. Every day, buses pass my office window in central London emblazoned with adverts encouraging us to visit Malaysia, illustrated with montages of sun and sea. Few people are likely look beyond that image or get to see the reality that exists underneath. For me, a country that, on the face of it, is engaged in widespread, institutional discrimination and human rights abuses should rightly be condemned. Even more so when it refuses its citizens access to legal representation.
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| Malaysia's Slowing Performance Posted: 24 Aug 2011 10:25 PM PDT By Greg Lopez, Asia Sentinel In the 70 years since World War II ended, East Asian economies, including Malaysia, appear to have largely got performance right. Malaysia was also one of 13 countries identified by the Commission on Growth and Development in its 2008 Growth Report to have recorded average growth of more than 7 percent per year for 25 years or more. Malaysia achieved this spectacular performance from 1967 to 1997. However, since the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 and1998, Malaysia's economic performance when compared to previous decades has been lackluster and most macroeconomic indicators are trending downwards. This was confirmed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak himself in the publication on March 30, 2010 of the New Economic Model – Part 1. This was a very brave move but a necessary one by the premier as he acknowledged publicly the failures of Malaysia's current economic model in order to demonstrate urgency for reforms.
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| Malaysia's Opposition Chief: Country Needs to Prepare for Slowdown Posted: 24 Aug 2011 10:17 PM PDT By James Hookway, Wall Street Journal KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Thursday the country's export-driven economy needs to prepare for the prospect of a double-dip recession in the U.S. and Europe, and steel itself for a prolonged period of weakness in the global economy. Mr. Anwar, a former finance minister, said Malaysia should focus on building up budget surpluses to better buffer itself from any further volatility in the global economy. "That's what we did during my time as finance minister: We built up the reserves and we were able to withstand the shock a lot better as a result," Mr. Anwar said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. He said Prime Minister Najib Razak needs to focus on weeding out corruption and waste to make the country more efficient. "And we need to educate Malaysians about what is going on so they can prepare," Mr. Anwar said. The Muslim-majority, resource-rich country ran a budget deficit equivalent to 5.6% of gross domestic product in 2010, down from a record 7% the year prior as Mr. Najib spent freely to help stimulate the economy during the worst of the global economic slump. This year, Mr. Najib has said he aims to reduce the deficit to 5.4% of GDP. Mr. Anwar, 64, lost his job as Malaysia's finance chief and deputy prime minister when he clashed with former leader Mahathir Mohamad on the direction of Malaysia's economic policy in 1998. An economic liberal, Mr. Anwar pressed for reforming Malaysia's heavily state-influenced economic system. He was later arrested and convicted of sodomizing two male aides—allegations he denied and called a political stunt—before the convictions were overturned in 2004. Now the leader of Malaysia's multi-ethnic opposition alliance, Mr. Anwar is again on trial for violating Malaysia's strict sodomy laws—this time for allegedly having sex with another male aide. Again, Mr. Anwar denies the allegation brought by 26-year-old Saiful Bukhari Azlan, saying the legal case was drummed up by Mr. Najib to destroy his political comeback. By law, Mr. Najib must call fresh elections by 2013. Mr. Najib, though, denies having anything to do with Mr. Anwar's trial, which this week is focusing on complex forensic DNA evidence legal experts say could determine its outcome. Mr. Anwar said that apparent inconsistencies in the prosecutors' case could provide him a legal lifeline. The opposition chief also said he sees a further decline in the value of the U.S. dollar and euro, saying "we have not seen the end of it." Mr. Anwar said he is worried, too, about whether China can continue being an engine of growth for the relatively healthier Asian economies. "You've got to wonder how sustainable it is," he said. |
| ‘Male Y’ DNA profile tainted, Sodomy II trial told Posted: 24 Aug 2011 08:41 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - A local scientist had flubbed a crucial DNA profiling test that the prosecution had used to link Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to a charge of sodomising his former aide, an Australian DNA expert told the High Court today. The defence team's fourth witness, Dr Brian McDonald, said government chemist Nor Aidora Saedon had made a major miscalculation in her test that had led to Anwar being wrongly marked as "Male Y" whose DNA profile was allegedly found in complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's anus. "What you have is evidence of a mixture of profiles. She reported them as a single profile," Dr McDonald told the court. He said she had messed up a fundamental guideline on how to perform the DNA profiling test, which gave her the wrong reading. The opposition leader's sodomy trial was given an indepth review of DNA analysis, including a deeply detailed explanation of how to mark and read the results. "If these were tests done in school, she'd have failed them," he told an amused court.
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| Perak mufti says Malays must defend race Posted: 24 Aug 2011 06:36 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria has denied claims that he is undermining the Najib administration and insisted today that the Umno president must find a way to unite the Malays. The Perak mufti told The Malaysian Insider that his advice to Datuk Seri Najib Razak was not influenced by any party but due to concern that "division among Malays is happening for a fact." "We must defend our race and Najib must find a way to reunite Malays," Harussani (picture) said. Several blogs and people on micro-blogging site Twitter have questioned Harussani's statement yesterday that the prime minister's weak government was the cause of Malay disunity, with some claiming that the Muslim scholar's statements seemed to be slanted towards Najib's deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Although Harussani acknowledged that he has come under fierce criticism since yesterday, he held to his stand that "division among Malays is a fact, you can see it for yourself." "When I speak, people will attack me. But I will not stop giving advice to anyone including the prime minister," he said. He had revealed during a religious forum yesterday that he met and advised Najib on the need to address "weak government, corruption and lack of trust."
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| MCA founder’s granddaughter lauds Guan Eng’s policies in Penang Posted: 24 Aug 2011 04:06 PM PDT The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — Lim Guan Eng received praise from an unexpected source today when the granddaughter of the MCA's first president and daughter of the country's longest-serving finance minister said the Penang chief minister should be given his due for the state's prudent management of public funds. Tan Siok Choo (picture), the daughter of Tun Tan Siew Sin and granddaughter of Tun Sir Tan Cheng Lock — both of whom were former MCA presidents — told BFM radio this morning that it was good that Lim had shown what could be done by eliminating waste and implementing open tenders. "For my father... he was always very particular that government funds should be looked after like your own funds. I think it is in a way, currently, very good that Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang, has shown what can be done if you eliminate waste and if you have an open tender. "The fact that he has been able to run Penang without much contribution from the federal government and yet turn in, yet attract one of the highest rates of investment, I think speaks for itself. "And this is barring the fact that when my father was in politics, Kit Siang never had a good word to say about my father. So there is history between our two fathers but I think one must give Guan Eng his due," she told the radio station's Morning Grille programme. Siok Choo's father Siew Sin was finance minister from 1959 until 1974. Guan Eng's father Kit Siang became an MP for the first time in 1969 and eventually became parliamentary opposition leader. Her remarks today come as the DAP is increasingly being seen as the party of choice for the country's Chinese community while the MCA, the party founded by Siok Choo's grandfather Cheng Lock, appears to be floundering. Recently, international news magazine The Economist also praised Guan Eng's open tender policies and credited his administration with helping Penang regain its lustre as a "global city" by lifting the state's economy to beyond that of a sweat shop industry. The international weekly dubbed Penang "the first custom-made city of globalisation" and credited Guan Eng for boosting the port city's revival by axing a racial special treatment economic policy in the state to create a more level-playing field that appeals to foreign investors.
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| Najib: Auditioning for Umno warlords Posted: 24 Aug 2011 03:54 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's three-days-a-week-pressing-the-flesh campaign is as much aimed at reconnecting with voters as it is targeted at convincing Umno that he has the tools to lead Barisan Nasional (BN) to victory. His recent problems and questions about his leadership — which have been raised by the opposition, some Umno warlords, the Perak mufti and the chattering class — have made it necessary for Najib to chart an election-like stumping strategy of leaving his office three times a week to meet the electorate.The PM is banking on his charisma and ability to dole out cash to boost his administration which has been battered by poor handling of Bersih, tepid action against corruption, flip-flops on reforms, racial and religious strife and personal issues linked to the Scorpene submarine deal and the RM24 million ring. His advisers believe that the electorate will like what they see and hear when Najib hits the road, convinced that brand Najib will win over doubters. But an equally important target for him are the Umno warlords, who have been grumbling about the lack of money/contracts; about the PM's indecisiveness and personal issues of the First Family and pandering to non-Malays and lack of concern for the Bumiputera agenda. Najib knows that he has to hush these noises if Umno is going to do well at the polls. He also has to moderate expectations, talking down winning two-thirds majority, knowing that if he does not deliver on a high target he will be vulnerable at the party polls. For now he does not have to worry about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the man whose attacks led to the fall of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Dr Mahathir's friends say that while the former prime minister has some issues with Najib's leadership, he is not interested in leading any campaign against the PM. So, it's up to Najib now to do whatever it takes to deliver a victory for Umno and BN.
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| Malaysians abroad may soon be allowed to vote via post Posted: 24 Aug 2011 03:48 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider All Malaysians living abroad may soon be able to vote in elections via post, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof said today. Abdul Aziz said the commission was looking into the possibility of amending election regulations to allow this, adding that it would "hopefully" be implemented before the 13th general election. "We want it such that so long as you are Malaysian and you have valid identification, you can vote. "Hopefully this can be done for the next election," he said during a media briefing here today. At present, election regulations only permit civil servants, full-time students and their spouses living abroad to vote via post. Abdul Aziz (picture) stressed however that those living abroad must first register themselves as voters via Malaysian embassies in the respective countries they reside in before applying to the EC to become a postal voter. "The EC will consider their application before approving," he said.
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| NEP under attack: Dr M to the rescue Posted: 24 Aug 2011 03:34 PM PDT
(FMT) - PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended the New Economic Policy (NEP), the controversial socio-economomic restructuring affirmative action programme launched in 1971. Taking the critics, including Anwar Ibrahim, to task, the former premier said NEP had been denigrated by opposition politicians to the point that it appeared to be the worst policy ever conceived and implemented. "While (prominent economist) Ramon Navaratnam blames NEP as being the cause of foreign investors not coming to Malaysia, Anwar condemned it for the abuses and corruption involved in its implementation," he said in a blog posting. "Anwar loudly proclaims that NEP benefits only the cronies of the government and that the contracts, Approval Permits (APs) and licenses given out under NEP involve corruption. "He makes it sound as if NEP did not benefit the Malays and other bumiputera at all," he added. However, Mahathir admitted that a few of the recipients of APs, contracts and licenses might know the leaders of government or were members of Umno "And there may be corruption involved in some cases but the charge is not warranted because in most cases, the benefits of NEP has been enjoyed by almost every Malay and bumiputera. In fact indirectly and in some cases directly it has benefited the non-bumiputera as well," he said. Giving them education For example, Mahathir said, every Malay child was helped in his or her education with free text books and often with free meals. "Schools are built in the remotest areas where before there were no schools. Hostels are built for mostly Malay and other bumiputera children so that they can live a better life and are able to study in better surroundings then in their homes in the villages," he added. For the qualified, the former premier noted, tertiary education was readily accessible, with huge numbers of scholarships. As a result, he said, many of the children of poor families or of families unable to pay high fees, now held university degrees, were highly qualified and many were professionals. "Before only 5% of the doctors in Malaysia were Malays and bumiputera, now 40% of them are Malays," the doctor-turned-politician said, adding that it was the same with other professions. "Just count the number of students in public universities in the country and those abroad on scholarships and one will appreciate how NEP has benefitted the Malays and other bumiputera in education," he said.
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| ‘Lab did not meet international standards’ Posted: 24 Aug 2011 02:08 PM PDT
By Teoh El Sen, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: The Chemistry Department of Malaysia, which did tests on DNA samples in the Anwar Ibrahim Sodomy II trial has never received an accreditation as it did not meet international standards.
Anwar's defence team today alleged that the laboratory had applied for an accreditation from the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD) but had failed to receive it since 2005. "The department did the DNA test on Anwar's DNA sample in 2008 when, all this while, it had failed to meet the ISO 17025 standard… it was given two extensions to apply for accreditation by the ASCLD. It only received a legacy accreditation, which is merely like a probation " Anwar's counsel Sankara Nair told reporters outside the court. (ASCLD accredits laboratories and regulates international standards.) "This affects the credibility of the DNA testing and the work methods of the department's laboratory. This amounts to misleading the court," he said, adding that chemist Dr Seah Lay Hong had earlier testified that her lab had met ISO 17025 standard. Earlier, Australian DNA specialist Dr Brian Leslie McDonald said that having an accreditation was important and meeting certain standards ensure that labs around the whole have standardised results. The 60-year-old consultant molecular geneticist from Sydney said that accreditation also gives recognition to a lab that has complied with standard guidelines. Asked by defence lawyer Ram Karpal Singh Deo whether such accreditation is required in a Malaysian context, McDonald said: " I don't know, I would think if the government asks a lab to conduct tests, you must be accredited."Prosection wants evidence expunged "This evidence is inadmissible… It should be expunged," said Mohd Yusof, who had an exchange of words with Ram. Referring to a letter that Ram had produced, Mohd Yusof said: "This is 2010, the test was conducted in 2008." McDonald, who is also an ISO assessor for the Australian body of accreditation National Association of Testing Authority, earlier explained how forensic DNA testings worked. He said that in general, accreditation of a forensic laboratory should be disclosed, adding that it is an "obligation", especially if its evidence is used in court.
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| EC mulls using both biometric system and indelible ink Posted: 24 Aug 2011 01:55 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider The Election Commission (EC) may use both the biometric system and indelible ink for the elections, laying to rest the ongoing squabble over the superiority of either mechanism. However, EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof said the commission was still studying the legal implications of both systems and whether they could be used on a "voluntary" or "mandatory" basis. But he noted that if voters were not required by law to use the new system, it would render the entire exercise pointless. "That is why we want to make sure everyone uses it," he said. Asked if the EC would propose its recommendation to the parliamentary select committee (PSC) for polls reform to be formed in October, Abdul Aziz said the commission hoped to do so. When asked if the changes would be implemented for the coming polls, he said: "Insyaallah." He said if the changes were to be made mandatory, amendments to election laws were needed to be passed in Parliament. The commission, he said, was now preparing the framework for the PSC, which is due to be presented to the Cabinet by September 7. |
| Malaysia UNHCR Accused of Betraying Refugees Posted: 24 Aug 2011 01:45 PM PDT
By Ko Htwe, The Irrawaddy The Malaysia United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is accused of betraying refugees by conspiring with Putrajaya Immigration Office to take their fingerprints and send them back to their own countries, it has been claimed. On Tuesday, several UNHCR-affiliated organizations in Malaysia instructed refugees to provide fingerprints at Putrajaya Immigration Office, claims Shwe Zin, a Burmese refugee living in Malaysia. "I arrived at the immigration office in the morning and was made to queue up. Then when my turn came, I had my fingerprints and a photo taken. And then I was given a printed document written in Malay that said to go back to our own country," said Shwe Zin. Many registered refugees came to the immigration office to give their fingerprints but did not know the details of what was going on, she added. Many refugees received a document entitled "Pulang Ke Negara Asal" which translates as "Returning Home," "Leaving" or "Going back to native country." However, others were registered and given an alternative document which allows them to stay in Malaysia. "I think I made a mistake by giving my fingerprints. It is impossible for me to go back [to Burma]," said Shwe Zin, adding that UNHCR staff were present in the immigration office. "The UNHCR is tricking us because they want to settle corruption dealings with refugee processes. I don't know why some refugee receive different documents," said Kyaw Htoo Aung from Malaysia, who works for worker affairs. An official from Putrajaya Immigration Office in Malaysia refused to give further details when contacted byThe Irrawaddy, but just said that it was an "enforcement event." Malaysia is currently running the 6P Program to tackle illegal migrant numbers in a bid to settle social problems and crime related to illegal foreigners. Although the Malaysia UNHCR was officially against the scheme, after Aug. 23 the organization is legally obliged to assist with the 6P registration. UNHCR refugee card holder Myat Ko Ko sent a letter to UNHCR officials asking why the organization was not upfront about its involvement in the fingerprint campaign, and questioning its commitment to protecting international human rights and refugees affairs. "As a result of the UNHCR and Malaysia [government] fingerprint program addressed to all the ethnic Burmese refugees in Malaysia, all of them are in trouble and the UNHCR should surely have given an announcement about it," he wrote. The Irrawaddy repeatedly tried to contact the UNHCR office in Malaysia but there was no reply. The Malaysia UNHCR has been accused of discriminating between refugees and corruptly selling resettlement registrations for profit, according to refugees in Malaysia. "While I met with the Malaysian authorities, my friend told me not to give a thumbprint on the document when the [UNHCR] called us. It is an act of cheating. They made the plan in secret but the problem is now widely known," said Yan Naing Tun. Australia and Malaysia's recent agreement to swap 800 asylum seekers who came to Australia for 4,000 refugees living in Malaysia was widely criticized by human rights groups, as Malaysia is not a signatory of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. The Malaysian government has cooperated with the UNHCR on humanitarian grounds since 1975 even though Malaysia has not signed the UN Convention Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. Burmese refugees have since been sent to third countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, France, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway. |
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