MELBOURNE: The Malaysian High Commissioner in Canberra has assured Australians that asylum-seekers transferred to Malaysia would be treated humanely and “with respect and dignity”.
Datuk Salman Ahmad told Sky TV yesterday that asylum seekers sent to Malaysia would “mingle” in the community while their claims were processed.
“There is not going to be any centre so they are not going to be in detention,” he said.
He indicated the proposed asylum-seeker swap with Australia was likely to be a one-off deal but said details were to be finalised.
Salman said that while Kuala Lumpur would welcome an Australian commitment to take more of Malaysia’s roughly 94,000 refugees, the deal to swap 800 Australia-bound people for 4,000 refugees from Malaysia, was probably a one-off.
“(And) of course, if there are more than 4,000 being taken by Australia, it’s much better if it is acceptable by Australia.”
Australia’s Treasurer Wayne Swan said yesterday, the Gillard government would continue to pursue agreements with other countries.
“This is not the end of our arrangements,” Swan said, referring to Malaysia.
The prime ministers, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Julia Gillard, announced Saturday that Malaysia and Australia were finalising a deal to trade asylum-seekers under which 800 people who tried to get to Australia by boat would be taken immediately to Malaysia, instead.
In return, Australia will take 4,000 genuine refugees from Malaysia over four years.
In making the announcement, Gillard described the impending deal as a “big blow” to people-smugglers.
“If someone seeks to come to Australia, then they are at risk of going to Malaysia and going to the back of the queue,” she told reporters in Canberra.
Canberra said the exchange being negotiated would cost A$292 million. — Bernama