Malaysia To Check Entry Of Illegal Immigrants

By Mohd Yusof Saari PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), May 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is to prevent the entry into its waters of ships or boats bearing Rohingya illegal immigrants to avert social problems and security issues, said the National Security Council. Its secretary, Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab, said the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) had been instructed to step up monitoring and control in the country's waters, particularly in the north. He said the council was aware that many vessels were waiting for the right time to enter the country's waters. "After several boats carrying illegal immigrants slipped through, we are prepared to prevent the entry of more vessels," he told Bernama on Thursday. Last Sunday, 1,158 Bangladesh nationals and the Rohingya community from Myanmar arrived by boats in Langkawi island in Malaysia's northern state, Kedah. They were arrested for having no travel papers. Rohingya Society of Malaysia representative in Kedah, Yusuf Ali, reportedly said that several boats carrying between 5,000 and 6,000 Rohingya and Bangladesh nationals were waiting for the right time to sail to Malaysia. Thajudeen said these immigrants had to be reminded not to attempt to enter the country's waters. "It is better that they forget their intention to enter the country because our security forces are ready to thwart their attempt," he said. He said the vessels bearing illegal immigrants already in Malaysian waters would be instructed to return to their port of origin. He also said that the security forces would tow damaged boats to shore for repairs and stock up with provisions before allowing them to leave. Thajudeen said two boats carrying about 1,000 illegal immigrants were detected entering Penang (also Malaysia's northern state) waters on Wednesday. One of the boats was directed to return to its port of origin while the other, which was damaged, was being repaired before being asked to leave, he said. "We cannot compromise in the matter because there will no end to the influx of illegal immigrants. It is said that almost one million people are waiting in Myanmar and Bangladesh to set sail for Malaysia," he said. --BERNAMA