MALAYSIANS protecting illegal immigrants are among the main challenges faced by authorities in tackling issues involving such foreigners.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the locals have offered these undocumented people shelter and jobs.
Such was the Hulu Langat issue where the Rohingya people who were issued with many summonses for various offences had managed to pay up the fines.
“Surely they are being protected,” he said during the Selangor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam.
He said this in reply to Datuk Johan Abd Aziz (BN-Dusun Tua) who asked on the state’s role in managing illegal immigrants and Rohingya refugees.
Johan had questioned how the Rohingya community in an illegal settlement in Hulu Langat manage to pay up compounds amounting to RM250,000 and the benefits of the UNHCR card.
The Hulu Langat case involved an illegal Rohingya settlement in a four-storey building that had been the subject of enforcement actions for years.
It was reported that the structures were built without approval on both private and government land.
The state subsequently moved to address the matter and the landowner began demolishing the illegal structures.
Reports also indicated that the role of the landowner, who allegedly allowed the settlement to be established, was a key factor in the issue and should also be investigated.
Amirudin said there were 9,515 Rohingya people in Hulu Langat district.
“The locals are subletting their business licences and offering them jobs, such as helpers at the market, as well as supporting their businesses by buying from them,” he said.
Amirudin also said the UNHCR card, issued by Unicef, was not a licence to set up businesses or own assets.
In a supplementary question, Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Sijangkang) asked how the state government would select which Rohingya refugees to repatriate, following Myanmar’s agreement to take back 5,000 individuals.
To this Amirudin said the decision rested with the Home Affairs Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Department.
He said many refugees were unable to return to their home countries because they were not welcome or it was unsafe for them, but they also faced challenges being accepted here.
“Non-governmental organisations are working to ensure refugee children are not neglected, exploited or involved in crime.
“They provide education and other forms of support to help these children build a better future.
“Unfortunately, even these efforts are often criticised.”
Amirudin said it was also deeply troubling to see hateful posts about the refugees.
“We must not allow fear or anger to erode our humanity.
“We can have discussions about policy and enforcement without dehumanising people.
“Upholding compassion, respecting human dignity, and maintaining peace in our country should remain our shared values,” he said.
“Not everyone is comfortable with the presence of refugees or undocumented migrants because of differences in culture, food and lifestyle.
“However, decisions on refugee policy, including those involving people from countries such as Syria and Palestine, fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
“Malaysia’s international image is also an important consideration,” he said.
