By Prof P Ramasamy
IF anyone intends to give Malaysia a bad international image, it could be none other than our controversial Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Apart from his differences with the former IGP, he has now quarrelling with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on the issue of inspecting immigration detention centres.
Hamzah has flatly refused permission for the UNHCR representatives to visit immigration detention centres on the pretext that the Malaysian authorities know very well that only undocumented migrants have been detained.
Since the Home Ministry has the required information, there was no necessity for the UNHCR representative to make a visit, so our minister had claimed.
He further lamented the fact that UNHCR had issued 120,000 permits for undocumented migrants, without getting clearance from the Immigration authorities.
Hamzah also argued that Malaysia might end up having two authorities; the Immigration Department and the UNHCR in issuing permits.
Anyway, he did say that if there are migrants holding UNHCR cards detained at the detention centres, Hamzah would release them immediately.
The point is, our minister failed to understand that UNHCR permits are meant for undocumented migrants to stay in the country for a brief period, not indefinitely.
If the Malaysian authorities, particularly the Immigration Department, have nothing to hide, what is the problem of allowing access to the UNHCR representatives?
Abysmal track record on human rights issues
It is not that the UNHCR does not trust the Malaysian authorities, but it is their duty to check and verify information by visiting the detention centres.
UNHCR have been inundated with complaints that several migrants holding its temporary stay permits have been rounded up for deportation.
They have a responsibility in protecting refugees, issuing them temporary permits for stay, especially those from the war-torn countries and ultimately, relocating them in other countries.
Hamzah should not complain of the UNHCR unnecessarily as they have an unenviable job to perform in the country.
It is not that Malaysia is a splendid example of a country when it comes to the humane treatment of documented or undocumented migrants.
Given Malaysia’s not so good record of treatment of migrants, then why blame the UNHCR for wanting to inspect our detention centres?
The relationship between Malaysia and the UNHCR has not been amicable for years. In fact, I was told by one of its officials that there is not even a formal recognition of the UNHCR in the country.
Thus, the relationship between the Government and the United Nations (UN) body is rather informal or even ad hoc in nature.
I would advise Hamzah to stop being a clown and propose for a formal recognition of UNHCR in the country. – June 6, 2021.
Prof P Ramasamy is the Deputy Chief Minister of Penang and Perai state assemblyman.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
