A local consumer rights body today told a foreign migrant rights NGO that criticised the Malaysian government’s plans to deport illegal immigrants in Sabah en masse to mind its own business.

rela and illlegal immigrants 090205 Consumer Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) in a statement issued in response to the Jakarta-based migrant rights NGO Migrant CARE’s criticism on the Malaysian government blasted the latter for meddling with the country’s domestic affairs.

Malaysiakini today reported the concerns of Migrant CARE expressed in a letter addressed to the Malaysian government. It said the plans to initiate a crackdown on illegal immigrants in Sabah may lead to a humanitarian disaster.

The letter was sent as a protest against a statement made by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak that the Malaysian authorities will be looking into massively deporting illegal migrants to their native lands.

Long overdue

Cassa however has a different take.

"Based on our comprehensive study and investigations, the decision by the Malaysian government to address the long overdue presence of undocumented workers in the hundreds of thousands in Peninsula Malaysia, and Sabah is long overdue.

jacob george "It is the right of any sovereign nation to take such steps that it needs to address national security interests and needs and as such not necessary to tailor its reactions to the calls of those who have no locus in this matter," said Cassa president Dr Jacob George.

"We at Cassa support the government's crackdown on illegal migrants," read the statement further.

The statement added that the violation of the rights and interests of Malaysians in the form of the rising rate of crime caused by undocumented workers especially in Sabah far outweighs any alleged contribution or benefit allegedly brought by Migrant CARE.

"In fact, their continued presence in the country only further compounds and derails any attempt by the government to address many political and racial anomalies in Sabah and Peninsula Malaysia and especially in basic remuneration and wage issues."

Apart from that, Cassa claimed that the influx of illegal migrants exploited the medical and health services of the nation and created a problem in race relations and integration.

However, Cassa, said George, wants the government to provide a reasonable period of time for undocumented workers and illegal migrants to voluntarily leave the country prior to the organised crackdown, a view shared by Migrant CARE as well.

"We also appeal that a high powered select committee be appointed in the said task force preferably from Malaysian NGOs to plan the proposed crackdown and repatriation of undocumented workers and illegals.

"This is so that the process would be initiated with professionalism and according to international human rights standards and human decency," he added.