NO DOUBLE STANDARD PRACTICE IN ISSUING OF REFUGEE STATUS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri
Tuesday refuted an allegation of double standard practice in the issuing of
refugee status by the government, which cropped up following the deportation of
Thai nationals from the country's restive southern provinces.

He said 25 of the 131 refugees returned to their country voluntarily after
being assured that no action would be taken against them.

"Therefore, the claim that there is double standard in the issuing of
refugee status is not apt.

"Actually, we (Malaysia) are prepared to only allow them (southern Thai
refugees) to return to their country if there is assurance on their safety from
the Thai government," he told the Lower House of Parliament.

He was responding to a Member of Parliament, who questioned the
government's action in deporting the southern Thai refugees, but did not do the
same to the Filipinos in the country.

The MP, in his original question, wanted to know Malaysia's role, as
an Asean member, in helping to solve the problems in South Thailand and whether
they could be solved through diplomatic channels.

Elaborating the matter, Abdul Rahim said Malaysia accepted the 131 southern
Thai refugees when the entered the country in 2005 and placed then at a
detention depot in Ajil, in Malaysia's East Coast state of Terengganu.

He said that in 2007, 11 of them decided to return to their country, with
another 14 this year, adding that it was hoped that the remaining 106 people
would also do the same voluntarily.

"Our view is that the problems in South Thailand are internal problems," he
added.
-- BERNAMA