KUALA LUMPUR: Following is the full statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry on the recent influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh into Malaysia.
The Government of Malaysia is concerned with the recent influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh into Malaysia. Malaysia remains committed to working closely with the affected countries and the members of the international community in resolving the issue of illegal immigrants and human trafficking in the region. Malaysia will also hold a meeting with relevant countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
On human trafficking, ASEAN is working towards adopting the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP) and its corresponding action-oriented document, the Regional Plan of Action (RPA) which will be submitted to the 10th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) on 28 September 2015 – 1 October 2015 in Kuala Lumpur.
The convention is developed with a view to achieving a regionally agreeable framework on collaboration among ASEAN Member States on investigation and prosecution of trafficking in persons’ cases as well as on providing assistance to the victims for their safe return, rehabilitation and reintegration into their respective societies, among others.
Malaysia strongly condemns the acts of the people smuggling syndicates that have resulted in the deaths, injury and the inhumane condition for those illegal migrants. Malaysia, as a destination country, remains seriously committed in addressing these scourges that, if left unchecked, will have a negative impact on Malaysia’s domestic concerns.
Recognising the multifaceted and complex nature of the issue of people smuggling, Malaysia will continue to seek a solution on this issue through, inter alia, concerted and coordinated efforts among the countries of origins, transit and destination. In this regard, Malaysia will pursue this matter at the relevant fora.