Australian Govt’s move to amend law welcomed

The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia welcomed the Australian Government’s move to ensure the asylum seekers exchange programme between both countries takes off by amending its immigration law.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said this showed Malaysia was on the right track when it signed the agreement.

“They are aware of the importance of addressing the asylum seekers’ issue.

“So, when their prime minister says they are going to amend the law, it just shows that we are on the right track,” he said after chairing a weekly meeting with state immigration directors here.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said her government was “determined” to make broad amendments to Australia’s migration laws to halt people smuggling and go ahead with the asylum seeker swap deal with Malaysia.

“We will bring to parliament broad amendments which will restore the executive government’s ability to make arrangements that it sees fit for the transfer and processing of asylum seekers in third countries,” she said.

Hishammuddin said the move by the Australian Government clearly showed that it was serious in working with Malaysia to address issues related to asylum seekers.

“We want the (human trafficking) syndicates to get a clear message that Malaysia and Australia should not be seen as a safe transit or destination,’’ he said.