Spat between Guan Eng, Zahid over where to hold refugees

KAJANG: Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng are embroiled in a war of words over the placing of stranded migrants in Penang.
Speaking to the press after officiating his ministry's family day at Maktab Penjara Kajang today, Ahmad Zahid called on the Penang state government to live up to its standard of "championing human rights" in giving shelter to the Rohingyas and Bangladeshis.
He said the federal government has identified several locations besides Penang to be the temporary camps for the stranded migrants but would prefer to place them in the DAP-led state.
"We want to see the sincerity of the Penang government, led by DAP that are partners with PKR and PAS, that claims to champion human rights and is always criticising the federal government for not adopting humanitarian policies.
"The Penang government should accept the migrants into the state," he added.
Lim had previously asked for the migrants to be sheltered on Federal-owned land as the state was lacking space and had not been consulted by the National Security Council (MKN) over the issue.
"Although Guan Eng had asked to place the migrants on federal land, we are confident that Putrajaya is sincere to use some of the land as the temporary shelter," Ahmad Zahid said.
Lim sarcastically questioned why Putrajaya remembered Penang when it came to housing displaced migrants but was silent on developing the state in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
He drew a parallel to the just announced RM260 billion 11MP which he said sidelined the state in addressing transport and traffic issues.
"The people in Penang are unhappy with this," he said in a press conference after launching a blood donation drive.
The issue arose after Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar suggested Penang be used to temporarily house the migrants, mostly Rohingyas, after they were rescued from sea.
The Rohingyas are fleeing sectarian violence in Myanmar whose military junta has stripped them of citizenship.
Lim urged the federal government to at the very least inform his administration on any developments regarding the matter.
"I was surprised as the state was not briefed on this," he said.