Home Ministry confirms mass graves near Thai border

KAJANG: The Home Ministry today confirmed that mass graves and suspected human trafficking detention camps have been discovered by Malaysian authorities in towns and villages near the Thailand border.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix), said the graves could be proof of Malaysians being involved in human trafficking to bring in foreigners illegally into the country.
"Malaysia as a government is not involved. But Malaysians, yes. I recognise that as a fact," he told a media conference after officiating his ministry's family day at Maktab Penjara Malaysia here.
Ahmad Zahid said the graves, believed to be those of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, could have been there for some time, possibly up to five years.
"I only know the preliminary findings. Currently, the Inspector-General of Police and his deputy are at the scene to investigate, they will reveal more information any time soon," he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid urged 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 government has identified several locations besides Penang to be the temporary camps for the stranded migrants but would prefer to place them in the 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 critisising the federal government for not adopting humanitarian policies.
"The Penang government should accept the migrants into the state," he added.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng 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.
He also urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to work together with Malaysia in taking care of the migrants' needs.
"We want to tell the international community, especially UNHCR and IOM, that we have done our very best, We hope they do not just give out UNHCR cards and in the end, place the responsibility on Malaysia.
"We hope they will help us to bear the cost of feeding the migrants which is estimated at RM6.50 per person daily. That is a large expenditure," Ahmad Zahid said.
He also urged non-governmental organisations to contribute funds or medical assistance for the migrants.