Amicable solution will be reached, says DPM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will resolve issues relating to 11 Uighur Muslims detained in the country, through diplomatic channels with all involved parties.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also home minister, expressed hope that an amicable solution would be reached in the case.

“The case is jointly managed with Thailand, where some of them (Uighurs) are being detained there (as well).

“We will take an approach that will not spurn the sentiments of the countries (involved in the issue). It will be the best solution.”

Zahid denied that he was inferring a possible deportation of the Uighurs to Thailand.

“I did not say that, but we will have to further discuss matters relating to diplomacy and security with the countries involved.

“We also take into account the views of human rights groups in the region and the world,” Zahid said after the soft launch of the International Exhibition on National Security Asia 2018.

Twenty Uighur men escaped from an Immigration detention centre in Sadao, southern Thailand, in November, after spending months drilling holes in the centre’s wall. They escaped to the nearby jungles at the Malaysian-Thai border.

Eleven of them were reportedly arrested by Malaysian authorities.

Thailand had said between 100 and 200 Uighur were detained in the country.

We will take an approach that will not spurn the sentiments of the countries (involved in the issue). It will be the best solution.