Indonesian refugees in Malaysian camps

Indonesian refugees in Malaysian camps

Malaysia has been forced to confront some unpalatable
realities in recent months. But the latest challenge facing the
Kuala Lumpur government is only indirectly related to the
financial turmoil in the region.

Anger, inflamed by the likelihood of deportation, has led to
bloodshed at camps housing illegal immigrants from Indonesia.
Malaysian officials have rightly pointed out that their country
is in no position to absorb thousands of Indonesians fleeing
poverty at home. As a result, illegal journeys once invested with
hope and promise have become a source of misery and desperation.
And desperate people will take desperate measures. The
authorities in Malaysia must not waver in their resolve to curb
the influx of Indonesians into their country. And they must take
tough action against those responsible for the riots.

Many of the inmates of the detention camps are desperate
people who feel they have nothing to live for because their
dreams of a new life have been dashed and only forced
repatriation looms for them. The potential for more violence
remains. The Malaysian authorities have recaptured the initiative
and are now appealing for calm. We hope the inmates of these
camps will listen to them. The situation is too dangerous for
demagoguery. Inflamed passions must be allowed to cool.

But a bigger and more urgent responsibility rests with the
international community. The solution lies in emergency aid for
Jakarta from the West as well as from Indonesia's regional
neighbors. The United States has already indicated that it will
be providing more humanitarian aid for Indonesia. But this aid
must be expedited and efforts must be made to ensure that it goes
to the people of Indonesia and does not end up in the pockets of
a select few.

-- The Hong Kong Standard