Malaysia hands back Muslim asylum-seeker

Malaysia hands back Muslim asylum-seeker

MALAYSIA: Malaysia has repatriated one of 131 Thai Muslims who took refuge there from rising violence in neighboring Thailand, Malaysian state news agency Bernama said.

The person handed back to Thailand is accused by Bangkok of involvement in militant activities, Bernama reported on Thursday night, quoting Malaysian foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar.

The group of 131, in Malaysian custody since late August, is the largest to have fled to Malaysia from recent troubles in southern Thailand, where nearly 1,000 people have died in unrest between Muslims and Thai security forces since January 2004.

"They had information that the person is involved with the militants but they gave an assurance that they would follow the legal process in whatever they do," Syed Hamid was quoted as saying.

He gave no details on the identity of the person. Government officials were not immediately available for comment on Friday. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees' representative in Malaysia declined any immediate comment.

The fate of the 131 Thai Muslims has become a sensitive political and diplomatic issue. --Reuters