Defiant Immigration sticks to rule on Sri Lankan refugees
By G Vinod
According to the Alternative Action Team (AAT) chief B Kalaivanar, the immigration is sticking to the fact that Malaysia is not party to the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the recognition of refugees.
‘We’ve approached the Home Ministry and the PM’s Departments and they were both very helpful but the immigration department won’t budge.” said Kalaivanar, adding that they have no choice now but to seek the direct intervention of Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.
On Monday, June 28, the AAT together with another group, the Tamil Integrity Movement, will submit a memorandum directly to Hishammuddin, in Parliament, calling for his intervention and assistance on the issue.
The memorandum is to urge the Home Minister to table an immediate resolution to release the refugees and allow them to work in Malaysia so that they are not a burden on the government and society.
Kalaivanar said the government need not worry about national security when releasing these refugees because they were only asylum seekers and not a threat.
“This people are civilians who are seeking refuge in our country due to the civil war in Sri Lanka. I am sure the authorities are aware of this,” he said.
Kalaivanar said the movement had first approached Immigration director-general Abdul Rahman Othman on May 27 seeking for permission to visit the detainees and talk them out of their hunger strike.
“Our first attempt was to write to the immigration director general. When I spoke to him on the phone, he agreed to let us in. But he later retracted his decision without giving us a reason.
“Since then we have been liaising with the Home Ministry and the PM’s Department.
Release on humanitarian grounds
According to Kalaivanar , the 75 Sri Lankan Tamils, had on April 23 arrived at Tanjung Piandang, Perak without any valid travel documents.
The refugees claimed they were fleeing from persecution suffered at the hands of the Singhalese controlled Sri Lankan government.
But despite their appeal, Malaysian immigration officers and the maritime police apprehended them and kept them at the Juru camp in Penang. They were later transferred to Sepang.
“We understand the limitations. But all we seek is for their release on humanitarian grounds. These Sri Lankan are asylum seekers.
“We know that there are Afghans, Burmese and Palestinians who have run away from their country and are hiding here and eking out a living.
“The government has been kind to them. We are seeking the same kindness…” said Kalaivanar.
While acknowledging the fact that the Malaysia is not compelled to show compassion towards the refugees, Kalaivanar said “such an act of kindness would show the world that Malaysia is a caring nation.”
“In some European nations, the government provides allowances to refugees. Malaysia need not give them allowances, just allow them to seek employment in our country.” he added.
When asked about the Sri Lankan High Commission’s involvement, Kalaivanar said they will not be keen to help.
“The Sri Lanka High Commission is controlled by the Singhalese who are not bothered about their fellow Tamil countrymen.”
The NGO groups are expected to deliver the memorandum to Hishammuddin at 2.30pm at the Parliament house on Monday.
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