‘Help M’sia mind refugees’

Muhyiddin: Developed countries could help bear the costs

NEW YORK: Developed countries should help bear the costs of managing refugees in countries such as Malaysia to help ease the burden of the problem, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Home Minister conveyed this at a meeting with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

He said he explained to the IOM that Malaysia needs to give priority to many of its people who still needed government assistance, but at the same time had to deal with refugee issues including the Rohingya from Myanmar.

“I have proposed to the IOM to bring the matter to the United Nations’ attention so that developed countries can share with countries like Malaysia the costs of providing healthcare facilities, education and others to the refugees,” he said on Saturday after concluding his visit to Washington DC and New York, which began on Sept 15 and was aimed at strengthening security cooperation between Malaysia and the United States.

Muhyiddin said the IOM should take into account the burden borne by Malaysia to manage immigrants and refugees, and the fact that it was done to avoid the accusation of being an irresponsible country.

He noted that although Malaysia did not join the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, it is offering help to refugees on humanitarian grounds.

Malaysia have about 180,000 refugees and the number is believed to be on the rise.

Muhyiddin observed that many developed countries that previously provided shelter to refugees were now reducing their intake.

He said Malaysia was weighing whether it would join the IOM as mentioned during his meeting with the organisation’s director Ashraf El Nour.

“The matter has been voiced in the past but has yet to be approved by the Malaysian government,” he said.

He said he was satisfied with his working visit to the United States which he described as successful.

The visit included a meeting with top officials of US Homeland Security, Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Department of Justice.

Muhyiddin also visited the US Customs and Border Protection agency, the US Terrorist Screening Centre and the New York City Police Department.

“It can be concluded that the US is keen to not only continue its cooperation with Malaysia’s Pakatan Harapan government, but also to take it to greater heights,” he said.

He said it was also a sign that the United States was keen to strengthen cooperation in areas such as security, defence and economy.

“There was also a suggestion that visits from Malaysia should be organised more frequently to explain the government’s policies and standpoint,” Muhyiddin said.

“Among others, I have explained the government’s goals, the future of the country and the concept of Shared Prosperity to them. They appeared interested and have expressed their support including in efforts to fight corruption and power abuse,” he said. — Bernama

I have proposed to the IOM to bring the matter to the United Nations’ attention so that developed countries can share with countries like Malaysia the costs . . .

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin