More human rights groups have reacted strongly to a warning by the deputy premier Najib Tun Razak that all migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers, would be targeted in the crackdown against undocumented persons.

They also expressed concern that refugees, including those from Burma and Aceh who are seeking asylum in Malaysia may be arrested and deported back to their home countries that are in the midst of conflict or persecution.

The Star quoted Najib as saying yesterday that the crackdown by immigration authorities and civilian volunteer corp Rela will target "anyone who is here illegally."

"There is no exemption on this including those who are carrying letters, genuine or otherwise, from the UNHCR. If the UNHCR wishes to appeal after these people are arrested, then it is up to them. But it is up to us whether we accept the appeal or not," said Najib in Putra Jaya

He said this after receiving RM630,000 in contributions from employees of a local company in aid of victims in Aceh of the December 26 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Hypocritical

Solidarity for Aceh spokesperson K Shan decried the government's acts of charity on behalf of Acehnese victims while declaring all undocumented migrants, including Acehnese refugees, as fair game in the crackdown against illegals.

"It is highly hypocritical for the Malaysian government, on the one hand to send relief and aid to Aceh in the wake of the tsunami while on the other hand arrest, detain and deport Acehnese back to Aceh," said Shan in a statement yesterday.

The Malaysian government, furthermore, has recognised Aceh as being "devastated, dangerous and in need of long term assistance," Shan said.

He also called on Najib "to be more sensitive to the principles of human rights and humanitarianism that strongly point out for protection of Acehnese in Malaysia."

In light of ongoing talks between the Indonesian government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM), it is "highly insensitive, premature and an affront to human rights and humanitarian principles to arrest and deport Acehnese."

Be more sensitive

Human rights group Amnesty International (AI) also voiced their concern yesterday over Najib's remarks and urged the Malaysian government to exercise more sensitivity over the rights of asylum seekers and refugees.

In their statement, AI also called for the immediate release of any refugees arrested despite possessing documents from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

"We also urge the government to ensure there is a mechanism to notify the UNHCR if anyone in detention is seeking refugee status and that UNHCR is permitted access to them."

Malaysiakini had previously reported on the contradiction between the statement of Najib and those of Home Minister Azmi Khalid who on Wednesday expressed assurances that those with UNHCR protection letters will be excluded from the crackdown.

Illegal migrants arrested are liable to face a jail term, whipping and even barred from re-entering Malaysia.