Najib goes and tell the United Nations that Malaysia will 'open our doors to a
further 3,000 Syrian migrants over the next three years' {Full text of Najib's speech to the UN to be found below}
Malaysia, at present do not in our laws recognize refugees and asylum seekers - and, so we have just been treating them as though they 'illegal immigrants'(or undocumented migrants) - and, what Malaysia does to them is that we arrest, detain, whip, imprison, deport them out of Malaysia...
Yes - Najib did not even use the word 'refugees' and 'asylum seekers' in his speech - he merely called them 'Syrian migrants'. As such, all refugees in Malaysia are 'illegal' migrants..
Malaysia really needs a law the recognizes refugees and asylum seekers - which will also state how they will be treated by the government, their rights, etc..ENACT A LAW ON REFUGEES/ASYLUM SEEKERS
Malaysia is also still not a signatory or party to 1951 UN Refugee Convention...and there are currently about 153,880 refugees and asylum seekers registered in Malaysia (probably more given the fact that time for processing is long...)
Malaysia has so many refugees here in Malaysia - refugees from Myanmar/Burma(including the Rohingyas), Sri Lanka....
There are also 'economic refugees' - people coming over from neighbouring ASEAN and Asian nations in search of employment and income... which we call ' undocumented migrants'
There are at present at least 2.5 million (possibly even more than 5 million) undocument migrants in Malaysia...
So, why does Najib go and proclaim at the UN that Malaysia would open its doors to a further 3,000 Syrian 'refugees' - when here in Malaysia already so many - 153,880. These persons are considered 'undocumented migrants' - not being able to work and earn a living legally in Malaysia. Of course, UNHCR also does not provide board or lodging for them whilst they await re-settlement in a 3rd country.
And, of course, there will be the question 'Why Syria?' - Why not Palestine? What not a general offer to accept refugees - priority maybe from ASEAN?
What really is the Malaysian position on Syria? Is Malaysia in support of the government of President Bashar al-Assad? Or is Malaysia supporting the US-UK position? Or the Russian position? ...it requires a longer discussion to understand what is happening in Syria, especially since 2011.
Yes - Najib did not even use the word 'refugees' and 'asylum seekers' in his speech - he merely called them 'Syrian migrants'. As such, all refugees in Malaysia are 'illegal' migrants..
Malaysia really needs a law the recognizes refugees and asylum seekers - which will also state how they will be treated by the government, their rights, etc..ENACT A LAW ON REFUGEES/ASYLUM SEEKERS
Malaysia is also still not a signatory or party to 1951 UN Refugee Convention...and there are currently about 153,880 refugees and asylum seekers registered in Malaysia (probably more given the fact that time for processing is long...)
As of end August 2015, there are some 153,880 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia.
- 143,050 are from Myanmar, comprising some 48,310 Chins, 48,800 Rohingyas, 12,290 Myanmar Muslims, 7,180 Rakhines & Arakanese, and other ethnicities from Myanmar.
- There are some 10,830 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries, including some 3,610 Sri Lankans, 1,230 Pakistanis, 1,100 Somalis, 970 Syrians, 860 Iraqis, 490 Iranians, 490 Palestinians, and others from other countries.
Some 57% of refugees and asylum-seekers are men, while 43% are women.
There are some 33,710 children below the age of 18. - UNHCR Malaysia Website
Malaysia has so many refugees here in Malaysia - refugees from Myanmar/Burma(including the Rohingyas), Sri Lanka....
There are also 'economic refugees' - people coming over from neighbouring ASEAN and Asian nations in search of employment and income... which we call ' undocumented migrants'
There are at present at least 2.5 million (possibly even more than 5 million) undocument migrants in Malaysia...
So, why does Najib go and proclaim at the UN that Malaysia would open its doors to a further 3,000 Syrian 'refugees' - when here in Malaysia already so many - 153,880. These persons are considered 'undocumented migrants' - not being able to work and earn a living legally in Malaysia. Of course, UNHCR also does not provide board or lodging for them whilst they await re-settlement in a 3rd country.
And, of course, there will be the question 'Why Syria?' - Why not Palestine? What not a general offer to accept refugees - priority maybe from ASEAN?
What really is the Malaysian position on Syria? Is Malaysia in support of the government of President Bashar al-Assad? Or is Malaysia supporting the US-UK position? Or the Russian position? ...it requires a longer discussion to understand what is happening in Syria, especially since 2011.
'This is why Malaysia has taken, over the years, many people fleeing war, starvation and persecution. We currently have hundreds of thousands of irregular migrants, and we took in more earlier this year when there was a dire humanitarian situation in the Andaman Sea.I am pleased to announce today that, to help alleviate the current refugee crisis, Malaysia will do its share, and open our doors to a further 3,000 Syrian migrants over the next three years.New international solutions are needed to deal with the migration crises. The millions fleeing are people – like us. They should concern us all. We must respect our common humanity. - Najib Tun Razak
Published:
Friday October 2, 2015 MYT 7:49:00 AM
Updated: Friday October 2, 2015 MYT 8:09:28 AM
Updated: Friday October 2, 2015 MYT 8:09:28 AM
Full text of PM’s speech at UN General Assembly
Mr President,
Congratulations on your appointment as President of the 70th session
of the United Nations General Assembly. Your experience and wisdom will
be invaluable in guiding us.
This session’s theme – “The United Nations at 70: the Road Ahead for
Peace, Security and Human Rights” – is timely. For we urgently need to
find new approaches, to rise above the political divide and put people
first, in an age when the old ways are proving inadequate to the
challenges we face today.
We are a world of nation states. But new conflicts and threats
imperilling our peace and security do not recognise borders. Non-state
actors, such as the so-called Islamic State, threaten to destroy
sovereign states.
They don’t confine their horrific acts of cruelty within official
boundaries. Expert at using social media to recruit followers in faraway
countries, they lure them with false promises, persuading many young
people that their barbaric actions will bring them closer to God.
It is sickening, and there could be no greater a slur on Islam – a
religion of peace, moderation and justice. But these extremists cannot
be defeated by traditional military means alone.
Mr President,
Five years ago I stood before this assembly and called for a Global
Movement – of moderates of all religions, of all countries – to
marginalise extremists, reclaim the centre, and shape the agenda towards
peace and pragmatism. We in Malaysia have followed up, both with
practical action and by building intellectual capacity.
Central to this effort is reaffirming Islam’s true nature, as we must
acknowledge that we are not winning the propaganda war against the
so-called Islamic State. Their twisted narrative is not being adequately
countered to prevent many misguided people from joining or supporting
from afar.
So it is more important than ever that we spread awareness of
authentic Islam. Most especially when conflicts persist and people lose
hope. For it is there that extremism finds fertile soil. And those who
fight for extremism – for a perversion of true Islam – are one of the
main drivers of the current migration crisis from the Middle East.
Islam unequivocally prohibits killing civilians during war. It
explicitly protects minorities and respects those of other faiths. It
urges the pursuit of knowledge, and stresses both justice and
compassion. As the Prophet Muhammad said: “You will not enter Paradise
until you have faith; and you will not complete your faith, till you
love for one another what you love for yourselves.”
This means there should be no strife among Muslims. Not between Shia
and Sunni, who may take different paths, but seek the same destination.
Islam condemns the destruction of historical sites that are part of
the world’s cultural heritage. The lies of IS include the claim that it
is their duty to destroy historical sites, because the Prophet Muhammad
destroyed the idols that had been introduced into the Ka`ba in Mecca.
This is based on a false analogy. The Ka`ba was built by the Prophet
Abraham for the worship of the One True God, and later generations added
the idols. The Prophet Muhammad was commanded to purify the Ka`ba of
these idols for its use by his followers, to bring it back to its
original form.
The historical sites being destroyed by IS were never used for the
worship of the One God and then later desecrated; so the argument for
destroying them does not and cannot apply. Moreover, God informs us that
these sites we travel by, and which denote past civilizations — some of
which were global superpowers of their time, but are now no more — are
signs to remind us not to be arrogant, but to walk the earth humbly.
We must combat IS’ warped ideology in this way: explaining why their
path is un-Islamic; why their actions are evil, theologically incoherent
and a travesty of Islam – which commands us to be knowledgeable,
compassionate and humble.
Mr President,
The Malaysian Government has helped develop an important body of
scholarship that does just that. An international group of Sunni and
Shia scholars representing a cross-section of the global Muslim
community was convened in Kuala Lumpur. Its mission was to define an
Islamic State, based on the continuity of Islamic religious thought
through the past 14 centuries.
It is nothing like the entity in Syria and Iraq that usurps that
name. The scholars unanimously emphasized that an Islamic State must
deliver justice in all its forms – political, economic and in the courts
– to its citizens. It must be based on the objectives of Shariah, or
Maqasid Shariah, which is to protect and enhance life, religion,
intellect, property, family and dignity.
An Islamic State must defend the different peoples under its rule,
and preserve their religions, languages and historic sites – because God
commands us: “Indeed, we have made you nations and tribes, that ye may
know one another.”
He could have created us as one religious community, but He did not
do so – in order to test us – and orders us to compete with each other
in being virtuous. A true Islamic State therefore aids God’s Divine
Intent in testing humanity, and urges us to compete in virtue, in
knowledge, kindness, compassion and humility – but, crucially, not
coerce us in this.
These are Islam’s true principles. The so-called Islamic State knows
nothing of Islam’s noble ideals, of its compassion, or of the solemn
duty to care for and learn about our fellow man. They are violating the
Divine will. They are desecrating the name of our religion through their
self-proclaimed caliphate – to which no true Muslim will pledge
allegiance.
This is the message we must spread, to Muslims and non-Muslims. And I
call on the Umma to rise with one voice, and let the world ring when we
say to IS: You do not represent us.
Mr President,
Let no one doubt how seriously Malaysia regards the problem of
militants: both those who wish to use Kuala Lumpur as a transit point,
and those who wish to sow violence and destruction at home.
Much of this work cannot be revealed for security reasons. This may
lead some to think that because Malaysia has not suffered from a
successful terrorist attack, we do not have national security
challenges. That is not the case.
Our tireless, ever-vigilant security forces have intercepted many
would-be IS recruits transiting through Kuala Lumpur. It is because of
our efforts that they have not fallen into the darkness that blights
Syria and Iraq.
But some have. We have identified 39 Malaysians who have travelled to
join IS. And we have arrested over 100 of our citizens suspected of
links to IS. These threats are real.
There are people who want to bring terror to our streets.
We will not stand for it, neither will they succeed. For Malaysia has
been, and will always be, a land where many faiths and ethnicities
freely prosper and thrive.
But we must strive harder to combat this threat together. Militaries
and intelligence services need to share information, and countries need
to collaborate more, daring to pre-emptively arrest as necessary.
We have instituted legislation to allow this. When evidence is
irrefutable, we will unhesitatingly take action. If our citizens’ lives
are threatened by bombing a mall or a station, we would be negligent of
their trust not to intervene before it is too late.
Mr President,
2015 gave us examples of inspiring new approaches. For example, the
United States restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. This was a
historic achievement, an exemplary display of moderation in action. It
took courage. It would not have happened had those wishing to cling to
old political divisions held sway.
Forward-thinking leaders put their people’s interests first. Similar
courage, Mr President, is needed to permanently address the injustice
suffered by the Palestinians since 1948.
Decades of impunity and the systematic dehumanisation of Palestinians
has culminated in increasing violence, increasing illegal settlements,
and increasing violations of rights. The frustration and anger felt by
Palestinians resonates with Muslims worldwide.
If the world continues to turn a blind eye to their sufferings, we
risk another catastrophe in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. We will
also fail to uphold the right to self-determination, which was at the
very basis of the United Nations when it was created 70 years ago.
On that note, given the Rosh Hashanah violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque in
Jerusalem and aggression against its worshippers three weeks ago, I
call on the Israeli government to live up to Judaism’s highest ethical
principles, and the essential message of the Torah as succinctly
expressed by the first century BC sage Hillel.
When asked to describe
the Torah in a soundbite, he said, “That which is hateful to you, don’t
do to your fellow human being.”
This dictum, known universally in all religions as the Golden Rule,
could herald the dawn of a much needed revised relationship between
Muslims and Jews.
Currently Israel has forced its authority over Islam’s Third Holiest
Site – in defiance of the jurisdiction of King Abdullah of Jordan, the
lawful Custodian. It is therefore Israel’s duty to facilitate Muslims
from around the world to visit. For this is an aspiration that all
devout Muslims harbour and pray to be able to realise in their lifetime.
Mr President,
Putting people first will not always be easy. But the problems of today require new and global solutions.
Malaysia will raise these issues as a member of the UN Security
Council – and reforming the Security Council to better reflect 2015’s
realities, not 1945’s, represents a good start towards building a new,
adequately responsive global architecture.
We in Malaysia know how much that is needed. We were extremely
disappointed that the proposed resolution to set up an international
tribunal into the shooting down of flight MH17 did not go through
because a veto was imposed. We will continue to seek justice through
other legal options, because we owe it to the families of those who
perished in this outrageous crime.
But whether it be reform of the UN, tackling extremism or dealing
with migration, greater mutual effort is necessary. We must look into
ourselves and our own traditions to create new mechanisms. We believe
that moderation is key.
Moderation is not about being weak. On the contrary, it is courageous
and shows strength. The strength to push for peace and put the people
first.
It is a principle that runs through all civilisations and faiths.
Islam embodies it in the concept of “wasatiyyah”, Confucianism as “chung
yung” – both of which mean “middle path” or “the Golden Mean.” But this
is a principle we must rediscover, and at the 26th ASEAN Summit in
Malaysia this April, we reaffirmed our commitment to this approach when
we adopted the Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates.
Malaysia stands ready to share its experience; of upholding Islam and
marginalising extremism; of implementing the objectives of Shariah
while practicing democracy; of maintaining a multi-ethnic society where
different faiths coexist and prosper; and showing that Islam can not
only succeed, but drive progress and successful economic development.
Mr President,
As we cooperate to solve the scourges of poverty, hatred, war and
man-made and natural disasters that have given us the refugee crises we
see today, we must draw from our spiritual traditions – and that
generosity of spirit which goes beyond legal requirements.
Sura `Abasa, the 80th chapter of the Quran, opens with God
criticizing the Prophet Muhammad – whom we Muslims regard as God’s
Beloved – because he frowned and turned his face away when one of his
followers, a poor blind man, interrupted to ask him a question while he
was occupied preaching to a rich and powerful unbeliever.
If God promptly rebuked the Prophet Muhammad, how much more will we,
the community of Muslim world leaders especially, stand to be rebuked by
our Creator if we “frown and turn our faces away” from our
fellow-Muslim poor and marginalized, now fleeing Syria in massive
numbers – causing social and economic stresses in Europe? Don’t we stand
partly responsible for any ensuing European hostility towards Islam,
the faith we love, and towards our fellow Muslims?
This is why Malaysia has taken, over the years, many people fleeing
war, starvation and persecution. We currently have hundreds of thousands
of irregular migrants, and we took in more earlier this year when there
was a dire humanitarian situation in the Andaman Sea.
I am pleased to announce today that, to help alleviate the current
refugee crisis, Malaysia will do its share, and open our doors to a
further 3,000 Syrian migrants over the next three years.
New international solutions are needed to deal with the migration
crises. The millions fleeing are people – like us. They should concern
us all. We must respect our common humanity.
For it is only when we transcend the silos of race and faith;
Only when we look at images of desperate migrants, the victims of
extremists, and those whose lives are degraded by hunger and poverty –
and see not strangers, but our brothers and sisters;
And it is only when we see that dreadful picture of three year old
Alan Kurdi washed ashore – and recognise our own children in that tragic
boy’s innocent face – that we will act as our better selves.
People around the world cry out for our help. We cannot – we must not – pass on by.
Thank you.
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