Egypt, Colombia discuss medical support for Palestinians injured in Gaza    Egypt greenlights new public free zones to drive export growth    PM Madbouly reviews progress of 1.5 Million Feddan Project    PM Madbouly reviews progress on electricity supply for New Delta agricultural development projects    Australia to recognise Palestinian state in September, New Zealand to decide    Trump orders homeless out of DC, deploys federal agents and prepares National Guard    Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire hold political talks, sign visa deal in Cairo    Egypt's TMG H1 profit jumps as sales hit record EGP 211bn    Egyptian pound stable vs. USD at Monday's close    Egypt, Germany FMs discuss Gaza escalation, humanitarian crisis    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Global matcha market to surpass $7bn by 2030: Nutrition expert    Egypt, Huawei discuss expanding AI, digital healthcare collaboration    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Oil rises on Wednesday    Egypt, Uganda strengthen water cooperation, address Nile governance    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Egypt, Malawi explore pharmaceutical cooperation, export opportunities    Egypt's Foreign Minister discusses Nile water security with Ugandan president    Egyptians vote in two-day Senate election with key list unopposed    Korean Cultural Centre in Cairo launches folk painting workshop    Egyptian Journalist Mohamed Abdel Galil Joins Golden Globe Voting Committee    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Malaysia “surprised” by Australia criticism on refugee issues
Published in Bikya Masr on 28 - 06 - 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is surprised by the response from Australia over the recent refugee crisis following the sinking of a boat near Christmas Island left as many as 100 people dead.
In an interview with The Australian Online, Malaysia's High Commissioner Salman Ahmad said he was “surprised” by the opposition over their criticism of the Southeast Asian country's refugee policy.
The coalition opposes Labor's Malaysian Solution for asylum-seekers because the country has not signed the UN refugee convention.
“Even though it's not legally binding on us to be treating refugees because we're not a signatory (to the UN refugee convention), we have done the best we can," said Ahmad.
“They know very well how we treat them when they come to our shores."
He said the UN refugee agency operating in Malaysia attends to the needs of an estimated 96,000 refugees living in the country.
It comes as Australia's Opposition lashed out at Malaysia over its treatment of refugees as talks with Kuala Lumpur continue over new refugee policies following the incident.
Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey told Sky News that “the reason why Malaysia is being used is because it is a very harsh and unforgiving environment for human beings."
Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said he had no problem with Malaysia or its government, but the opposition would not agree to process asylum-seekers there because it had not signed the UN refugee convention.
“Malaysia has the arrangements they have in place as a sovereign country dealing with the issues as they see them and they have every right to do that," he said.
“My argument is not with Malaysia. My argument is with the government that wants to abolish offshore processing protections in the Migration Act."


Clic here to read the story from its source.