Sarawak CM: Talks held behind closed doors
SRI AMAN: The Sarawak government held negotiations behind the scenes to secure the release of the 47 Malaysians held for more than two months in Cambodia.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg said the state government had chosen this method because it felt that this was the best way to handle the issue.
“We did not want any publicity as we were worried that it might interfere with the negotiation process, which was carried out with the help of Wisma Putra, via the Malaysian embassy (in Phnom Penh).
“The state government even took care of the cost of bringing home the Sarawakians (among the group, of whom there were 40) after they were released (from prison) in Cambodia.”
Abang Johari said this after opening a Chinese New Year celebration here. Present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Assistant Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.
The Malaysians were detained on Dec 11 when police in Banteay Meanchey raided two houses in Poipet, more than 400km from Phnom Penh.
Abang Johari said the state government would continue to defend its autonomy in immigration matters.
“These immigration powers need to be defended to prevent extremists from entering the state.
“I have stressed this to the prime minister because I do not want the peace and harmony we have to be destroyed by extremists from (outside the state).”