Statement
by Lim Kit Siang - Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Tanjong
in Petaling Jaya
on Thursday, 26th December 1996

Call on Malaysian Government to refer the illegal Achinese immigrants to the UNHR to determine their status and not to force their repatriation to Indonesia

The riot by Indonesian illegal immigrants at Langkap detention camp on Tuesday and the action by others yesterday in forcing their way into nine foreign embassies in Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur to seek “political asylum” has highlighted the issue of the Achinese and their struggle for an independent Acheh state.

Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Megat Junid Megat said the government will not grant refugee status to Indonesian illegal immigrants from the Acheh province as it will jeopardise the relationship between both countries - since the Indonesian authorities denied there was a civil war in the Sumatra province.

While the Malaysian Government is right in not wanting to jeopardise the relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia, it should not turn a blind eye to the fears of the Achinese about their safety and lives if they are deported back to Indonesia.

For this reason, the Malaysian Government should refer the illegal Achinese immigrants to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to determine their status rather than to force their repatriation to Indonesia.

(26/12/96)