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unable to accept the Malaysian proposal and at the same time fail
to give the pledge to the Government of MALAYSIA which provided the
centres that no refugee would be required to stay in any centre for
more than a specific period say three years, then MALAYSIA reserve
the right to continue to combat the arrival of Vietnamese illegal
immigrants by every means at their disposal. Any boat carrying illegal
immigrants that tries to enter MALAYSIAN waters would be turned away
and those that attempt to land will be towed away after being given assistance to proceed on its journey.
19.
If the required pledge is not forthcoming for the time being
those already in camps administered by UNITED NATIONS in MALAYSIA would
continue to await processing and transportation to third countries.
MALAYSIA urges third countries that the procedure for processing and
transportation be expedited. Those already selected should be removed
from these camps to camps of their own in respective countries while
awaiting sponsors or employment. It is indeed inhumane to allow
unnecessary suffering in these camps for those people already selected
simply for reason of lack of sponsorship and finance. This is one of
the reasons for the overcrowding in the present UNITED NATIONS camps
such as PULAU BEDONG.
20.
Should the programme and progress of resettlement in third
countries appear to MALAYSIA as unsatisfactory, with the prospect of
saddling her with the residues since they are not accepted by third
countries or their country of origin, then MALAYSIA would decide at the
appropriate time to resort to whatever measures necessary in order to
rid these UN centres of the illegal immigrants which is the only
alternative to their being left to rot. Malaysian Prime Minister's
message to UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General on 18th June, 1979 has
reference.
14th JULY, 1979
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.
TAN SRI GHAZALI SHAFIE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS
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