Penang has refused to use the refugee boat issue to its political advantage but prefers to look at it from a national security perspective.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today the matter of migrants adrift at sea near Malaysian waters falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

He added that in matters of national security such as this, Penang stands with the federal government, and he has to respond as the chief minister of a state and not as an opposition politician.

Speaking at the Penang Legislative Assembly, Lim cited the ongoing territorial dispute for Spratly Islands between Malaysia and China, saying he defended Malaysia’s stand in this matter.

Asked if he agreed with the federal government’s policy to turn the boats away from the country’s shores after providing fuel and food, Lim replied, “I did not say that”.

“However, whatever action taken, food, water, and medicine should be provided to them,” Lim said.

He was asked for Penang’s humanitarian response in dealing with migrants who may land on its shores seeking refuge.

“Let’s consider the issue of national security. Are they genuine refugees or are they involved in certain dealings?” he asked.

“We (in Penang) need to look after our borders but somehow, we have been spared as they have gone to Langkawi,” he added.

However, he condemned Malaysia’s inaction towards the migrants’ plight and its “double standard practices” in fortifying the Sedition Act, despite being the current chair of Asean and a member of the United Nations Security Council.

Lim ( left ) was referring to the plight of close to 1,600 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants who landed by boat on the shores of Langkawi and Acheh, Indonesia, on Sunday.

The decision by Malaysia and Indonesia to turn the boats away – although they did so after providing them with fuel and food – sparked an international outcry.

Migrant activists has condemned the turn-back policy as assisting Myanmar in its “ genocide agenda ” against ethnic Rohingya. 

They estimated that some 6,000 to 8,000 migrants have been stranded at sea and more are expected to flee violence in Myanmar.

Turn-back 'not an option'

Yesterday, the Penang legislative assembly discussed the measures the state could take to address the issue, should the boats arrive on its shores.

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy ( right ) urged Asean, especially the Malaysian, Thailand, and Indonesians governments, to discuss the matter with Myanmar as this was a “regional issue”.

Wong Hon Wai (DAP-Air Itam) expressed concern that the landings may spike in Malaysia and Indonesia, following Thailand closing its borders after the grisly discovery of mass graves , suspected to be of Rohingya migrants.

R.S.N Rayer (DAP-Paya Terubong) said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s move to turn the migrants back to the sea was not an option on humanitarian grounds.

Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubuk) urged the state government to offer the migrants job opportunities and described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis.”