More migrants arrive in Medan from Malaysia<\/p>\n
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Nearly 1,000 illegal migrants
\narrived here yesterday after being deported from Malaysia Sunday.<\/p>\n
The 972 arrived in Medan yesterday morning aboard a special
\nsix-car train from the port city of Tanjungbalai, 130 kms
\nsoutheast of Medan, where they had arrived from the Malaysian
\nport of Port Klang.<\/p>\n
Provincial administration official Andhie Suryanto told The
\nJakarta Post that the arrivals were to be taken to their
\nrespective areas of origin last night by Damri bus.<\/p>\n
Most of the migrants hail from East Java while the remaining
\ncome from West Java, Central Java, Riau, Lampung, Jambi, Sumbawa,
\nWest Nusa Tenggara, and Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.<\/p>\n
Malaysia, with the understanding and support of the Indonesian
\ngovernment, has begun a mass deportation of illegal migrants,
\nmany of whom were Indonesians looking for work.<\/p>\n
Some 12,000 are said to have been detained already.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's batch was part of 7,000 illegal immigrants
\nscheduled to be deported through Port Klang, which is across the
\nStrait of Malacca from Tanjungbalai.<\/p>\n
Those who arrived in Medan yesterday, most of whom were men,
\nlooked dazed when they got off the train. They were given food,
\nwater and taken to temporary shelters before beginning the bus
\njourney home.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said they were surprised to see the returning
\nmigrants in such a lamentable state with many walking barefoot.<\/p>\n
When asked, several admitted to the Post that they had worked
\nin Malaysia illegally for several months and were arrested during
\na police sweep.<\/p>\n
But some steadfastly maintained their innocence, saying they
\nhad been arrested despite having legitimate papers.<\/p>\n
The peaceful deportation of the batch that arrived in Medan
\nyesterday was in stark contrast to events last Thursday when a
\nbloody riot broke out as Malaysian authorities tried to deport
\nanother group of illegal immigrants.<\/p>\n
Eight Indonesians and one Malaysian policeman were killed in
\nthe unrest.<\/p>\n
More commotion over the deportations erupted in Kuala Lumpur
\nyesterday when 14 Indonesian migrants crashed a truck through the
\nmain gate of the United Nations refugee agency and demanded
\nasylum to avoid deportation.<\/p>\n
"Fourteen of them have forced their way into our compound,"
\nGottfried Koefner, head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees'
\n(UNHCR) liaison office in Kuala Lumpur, told Reuters. "They are
\nasking for protection."<\/p>\n
Reports said they were part of an Aceh separatist movement and
\nfeared persecution if they returned to Indonesia. But Indonesian
\nofficials have denied these allegations.<\/p>\n
The UNHCR has urged Malaysia to halt its deportation, saying
\nsome of the migrants may be genuine refugees, and demanded access
\nto Malaysian camps where illegal migrants are being held.<\/p>\n
Kuala Lumpur police chief Kamaruddin Ali said his men would
\nnot enter the UN compound as it was diplomatic territory.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said the deportations will
\ncontinue and that Malaysia had not violated any human rights. He
\nadded that in discussions with visiting Indonesian Vice President
\nB.J. Habibie, Indonesia had given its full consent and
\ncooperation for the operation. (21\/rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-migrants-arrive-in-medan-from-malaysia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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