The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Talk on Penang and globalisation
- Hisham: Swap pact aimed at curbing human trafficking
- NGO: Malaysia being used as dumping ground
| Talk on Penang and globalisation Posted: 25 Jul 2011 05:41 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: A lecture on Penang's role in the globalised world will be held at the Wawasan Open University main campus in Penang on Thursday. The two hour lecture by Prof Jomo Kwame Sundaram will start at 4pm. His talk, titled "Penang and Globalisation", will address the present and future of Penang in the fast changing world economy. Prof Jomo, who is better known as KS Jomo, has been Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the United Nations' Department of Economic and Social Affairs since January 2005. For more information, call Daniel Lim at 04-2283 306 or e-mail danielljy@seri.com.my Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| Hisham: Swap pact aimed at curbing human trafficking Posted: 25 Jul 2011 05:40 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Australia have inked a landmark agreement on the transfer and resettlement of asylum seekers, aimed at stopping human trafficking syndicates from profiting from human misery. The historic deal the first in the world will see 4,000 refugees in Malaysia sent to Australia while 800 people from that country will be resettled here in the next four years. Australia is expected to fork out A$292mil (RM940mil) for the programme. Although the exact date for the exchange has not been fixed, the first batch of transfers is expected to be this year. The agreement was signed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Australia's Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen here yesterday. Both ministers said the cooperation reflected their countries' commitment to solve human trafficking and "other issues that come with it", such as terrorism, money laundering, and arms and drugs smuggling. Hishammuddin said both countries wanted to send a clear message to syndicates not to treat them as a "haven to make profit from innocent, defenceless people". "This agreement is a mechanism to stop this vile trade that is a form of modern day slavery. "By working closely with the Australian Government, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), we are able to develop an agreement that does just that while looking after the interests of Malaysia, Australia and - above all - the immigrants," he said after the signing ceremony. Thanking UNHCR and IOM, which would monitor and safeguard standards of treatment in Malaysia, Hishammuddin said those who came under the deal would be allowed to work and have access to education and health. "The best way to prove our commitment is through the operational side later. Judge us by the results," he said, adding that the 800 sent here would be screened to ensure that they were not on the terrorist and wanted lists, and not illegals. Describing the move as innovative and bold, Bowen thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for his leadership in seeing the agreement through. "As Immigration Minister, I hope not to get another phone call about people and children as young as two months old having drowned trying to come to Australia," he said. Oversight and advisory committees would also provide advice to both governments on day-to-day management of the arrangement and the welfare of those involved, added Bowen. Related Story: |
| NGO: Malaysia being used as dumping ground Posted: 25 Jul 2011 05:40 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) not to endorse the refugee swap agreement between Australia and Malaysia. Australia is just using Malaysia as a dumping ground for the boat people it does not want, said HRW's Asia Division deputy director Phil Robertson. He said Australia was walking away from its commitment to follow the 1951 Refugees Convention in making such an agreement with a country that is not a cosignatory. "For Malaysia, this is a money talks' kind of deal, and for Australia, it's a desperate move by a government with falling poll numbers seeking political traction on the backs of vulnerable people seeking refuge," he said. Robertson said endorsing the agreement would be the worst type of precedent. "We're concerned it could start a wider erosion of protection for refugees throughout the Asia-Pacific region," he said. In a related development, about 20 people protested against the signing of the deal outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The demonstration, which was organised by a few human rights NGOs at noon yesterday, saw people holding up signs and banners protesting against the deal as it was being signed inside the hotel. PKR vice-president N. Surendran said the deal was against human rights and all recognised principles of justice. "It is a disgrace for Malaysia and Australia who are treating the refugees like animals," said Surendran. He said the promises made by both governments on making sure there is adequate protection and welfare was nothing more than an "empty political phrase". Related Story: |
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