PUTRAJAYA, Oct 29 — The government will continue repatriating Myanmar refugees through legal channels and diplomatic processes, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, in line with the court’s decision to dismiss the Malaysian Bar’s application for a stay.
Saifuddin Nasution said the Home Ministry and Foreign Ministry would continue negotiating with the Myanmar government to facilitate the repatriation of the second group, unless the court ruled otherwise.
“Let the legal process determine the outcome. Until there is a decision to the contrary, we will continue with the repatriation.
“For now, the Malaysian Bar’s application for a stay has been dismissed, so we will proceed. The judicial review has been fixed for December 8,” he said in his speech at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly here today.
The Malaysian Bar had applied to the High Court to halt the repatriation of about 5,000 Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers, with the court saying a stay cannot be granted before leave for judicial review is given.
Judge Norliza Othman said the Malaysian Bar has a right to renew its application after the court decides whether to grant leave for judicial review.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution urged the public not to act against Myanmar refugees as enforcement should be left entirely to the authorities.
He acknowledged that refugee issues could give rise to various socio-economic problems, but said the public should not go to extremes or act beyond the law.
“Their arrival has caused economic, political and social problems in certain communities, prompting some members of the public to take matters into their own hands, such as attacking their homes or forcing them out of their villages.
“The police are carrying out their duties and are urging the public not to take the law into their own hands. Leave it to the authorities and immigration enforcement agencies, which are conducting continuous operations,” he said.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will address the refugee issue with Myanmar via diplomatic means, despite international condemnation and criticism.
He said that Myanmar will receive its nationals from Malaysia at its own expense.
To date, about 10,300 Myanmar nationals have been repatriated, while another 3,000 are expected to be repatriated this month.
