Malaysia is doing the right thing by not sending the Thai refugees immediately back to Thailand. I’m especially glad that the Malaysian government is acting so despite the country doesn’t officially recognize refugee status. This is especially so when Thaksin insists that those 131 refugees are separatists while Thai foreign minister believes that the group consists of innocent Thais instead. The Thai upper echelon does little to guarantee the refugees’ right to safety by issuing contradictory statements. Hence, it falls on Malaysia’s shoulder to provide the refugees such assurance in the name of human rights.
The conflict in southern Thailand may well indeed be Thai internal matter. ASEAN members at the same time practice non-interventionist principle. However, it’s clear that Thailand has been unable to contain its internal problem and now, it’s spilling into Malaysian northern state of Kelantan. According to some sources, about 1000 more Thais are planning to cross into Malaysia. The presence of 131 refuge seekers in Kelantan and the possibility of another exodus of refugees make the conflict as a Malaysian matter too, regardless of Thaksin’s opinion.
Thailand in recent past accuses Malaysia of shielding some of Pattani separatist leaders. Malaysia denies that and some within Malaysia have hinted that Thaksin might be looking for a scapegoat. Whatever it might be, southern Thailand crisis is rocking the relationship between the two countries and the recent refugee development is rocking the boat even further.
Malaysia is stuck in a quagmire – return the refugees back to Thailand and face possible domestic and international criticisms, or, keep the refugees safe for the moment and take the Malaysian-Thai relationship to a new low.
I personally prefer the latter to the former option. It is simply so because, as stated in an earlier entry, I believe Malaysia has a moral obligation to do so. To me, it’s simply a matter of human rights. To me, the gain from sheltering the refugees is greater than the cost.
Hence, again, I am glad that the Malaysian government refuses to handover the refugees to Thai authority just yet. Those that have interest in Malaysian human rights issues should be glad too. So, let’s applaud the Malaysian government just this one time.
p/s – w00t! Malaysian Federalism: Pattani coming soon. Heh, read Brunei and Sumatra to anticipate the fun of a greater federation!
Remember though, this is for fun, not my official standing. I might not mind having Brunei as the new 14th state however. =p
