PETALING JAYA (Oct 14, 2011): Malaysia can still proceed to send 4,000 refugees to be processed in Australia despite the country’s decision to abandon the refugee swap deal, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussien yesterday.
In a tweeted response to theSun last night, Hishammuddin, through his official Twitter handle @HishammuddinH20 said: “Malaysia no impact as they are still willing to accept 4,000 refugees from us.”
Hishammuddin also reiterated Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s statement yesterday that the deal was scrapped because of her inability to get any Opposition MPs to support a change in migration laws which will allow for the swap deal to proceed.
Gillard reportedly said: “We are not in a position to implement the arrangement with Malaysia. It is apparent the legislation will not pass the parliament.”
In his second tweet to theSunM, Hishammuddin added: “Bilateral cooperation (between) Australia and Malaysia to fight human trafficking syndicates (is) still very strong. The next working group meeting will be held next month.”
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