PENANG deputy chief minister II Prof P. Ramasamy has slammed National Security Council (MKN) director-general Datuk Rodzi Md Saad for suggesting the closure of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees’ (UNHCR) office in Malaysia.
According to a Harian Metro report yesterday (Sept 6), Rodzi said this would allow Putrajaya to manage refugees in the country better without “interference” from external influences.
“I shudder to think what will happen to over 200,000 refugees in Malaysia if the UNHCR office in Malaysia is closed down,” Ramasamy said.
The Perai assemblyperson noted that at present more than 80% of the refugees in Malaysia are from Myanmar especially those who fled the country’s ethnic cleansing campaign.
“Malaysia is not a signatory to the United Nations convention on refugees but it still allows the presence of the UNHCR [in the country]. However, a formal recognition of the refugees organisation is still pending,” he pointed out.
“The Government doesn’t even recognise the notion of refugees in the country and if [this is the case] then how is it possible that it can do a better job than the UNHCR?
“How can the country be expected to do a better job in managing the refugees in the first place especially in registering them, providing accommodation, allowing for their mobility by the provision of temporary cards and ultimately settling them in other countries?”
UNHCR, Ramasamy explained, is an agency created by the United Nations General Assembly in the aftermath of the second World War to assist refugees in Europe.
The emergence of refugees as a result of civil wars and other forms of conflict had, in the later years, led to UNHCR offices being established in various countries.
“While the UNHCR office in Malaysia might not get the full support of the Government, it is doing an excellent job despite difficulties to register, provide temporary cards for the movement of refugees and if possible, settle them in countries of their choice,” he acknowledged.
“Rodzi might be the head of the MKN but he has no clue what he was talking about, and his empty talk about UNHCR interfering in the internal affairs of the country is pure rubbish and without basis.”
Further taking a swipe at Rodzi, Ramasamy further suggested that the latter did not understand that the UNHCR is an agency under the United Nations, an international organisation that Malaysia is a member of.
“Malaysia not signing the refugees’ convention due to certain political reasons does not mean that the UNHCR is an illegal body,” he stressed, adding sarcastically that perhaps Rodzi should suggest that Malaysia cease to be a member of the UN next.
“I don’t think Malaysia is in a position to address the refugees’ matter without the presence of the UNHCR despite the fact that its presence is distasteful to people like Rodzi.
“Rodzi must appreciate the presence of UNHCR in our midst in addressing the various refugee problems. Unlike the UNHCR Malaysia might not be in a position to resettle refugees in countries of their choice.”
He further urged Rodzi to not “reveal his ignorance” about the refugees or the work that is being done by the UNHCR.
“Malaysia does not need to love the UNHCR but it can at least facilitate the agency’s work among the refugees to ensure that humanity prevails,” Ramasamy opined.
“Rodzi is an utter disgrace to his profession. Such a hostility is towards humanitarian agency such as UNHCR is uncalled for. It is better he resigns from his position.” – Sept 7, 2022
