KL raps Canberra over people-smuggling charge<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar
\ncriticized Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Monday for
\naccusing Malaysia of not cooperating in the fight against people
\nsmuggling.<\/p>\n
Syed Hamid described Howard's allegation as \"unreasonable and
\nnot based on facts.\"<\/p>\n
\"When subject to international criticism, you try to find
\nscapegoats,\" he told reporters after a luncheon meeting with
\nSingapore's visiting Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.<\/p>\n
Syed Hamid said it was unfair for Howard to point fingers at
\nMalaysia, suggesting Australia should listen to the international
\ncommunity over how to handle the refugee issue and not politicize
\nit.<\/p>\n
\"This is not an issue for elections. Australia has been a
\nchampion of human rights. When things are getting difficult, to
\njust blame other countries, that is not right,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Howard said on Sunday it was up to the United Nations to get
\ntough on nations such as Indonesia and Malaysia, which allowed
\npeople-smugglers to cross their borders.<\/p>\n
\"People come from Afghanistan and the Middle East, they go
\nthrough Malaysia -- many of them -- and then they go to
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"We do not have the cooperation of countries that should be
\ncooperating,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Howard's remark came as Australia faced international
\ncriticism after a Norwegian freighter, the Tampa, picked up 438
\n(other reports say 433) mainly Afghan refugees when the
\nIndonesian boat carrying them to Australia started to leak.<\/p>\n
Australia refused to accept the refugees, who remain on board
\nthe Tampa more than a week after being rescued.<\/p>\n
Syed Hamid said Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
\nlast year expressed Australia's appreciation of Malaysia's
\ncooperation in curbing human smuggling.<\/p>\n
\"I met the foreign minister last year, who thanked Malaysia
\nfor all the assistance it gave to make sure people do not use
\nMalaysia as a country of transit to go to Australia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Marine police commander Muhamad Muda said on Sunday patrols
\nhad been stepped up to prevent foreigners using Malaysia as a
\nstepping stone to entering other countries illegally.<\/p>\n
\"Human-smuggling out of Malaysia is not a serious problem. The
\nnumber is small compared to those entering Malaysia illegally. We
\nhave stepped up patrols to curb both activities,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kl-raps-canberra-over-people-smuggling-charge-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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