ASEAN To Set Up Trust Fund For Refugees, Human Trafficking Victims - Home Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- ASEAN member countries unanimously agreed Thursday to set up a trust fund for refugees and human trafficking victims, said Malaysia's Home Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said all ASEAN member countries would be contributing to the fund. "I suggested each country to contribute at least US$100,000 (RM377,000) but that amount was not approved by all countries. "Singapore is the first country to agree to donate US$200,000 (RM754,000) to the fund," he said after chairing the ASEAN ministerial level emergency meeting on cross-border crimes in relation with the movements of illegals in the region here. On the amount of funding from Malaysia, Ahmad Zahid said he would have to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Najib Razak. Ahmad Zahid said the proposal was made following the influx of Rohingya refugees and illegals especially from Bangladesh. He said ASEAN member countries representatives were also surprised by Myanmar's positive response towards the Rohingya issue during the meeting. "I am amazed that Myanmar has been positive and accept other countries' views with an open mind and open heart, and Myanmar will help Malaysia to monitor human trafficking activities," he said. Ahmad Zahid said it was not fair to put Myanmar under pressure because not all refugees, who were stranded at sea recently, were Rohingyas. "Only one-third of the refugees were Rohingyas while the rest were from Bangladesh and small states around the Bay of Bengal," he said. Also present at the meeting were Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency deputy director-general (operation) Ahmad Fuzi Ab Kahar and Home Ministry secretary-general Alwi Ibrahim. -- BERNAMA