6 theSun | FRIDAY JANUARY 16 2009

news without borders

Siti, Jaclyn and Mawi

Provide info on claims against to sing for Palestinians
PUTRAJAYA: A charity dinner featuring ate the value of peace and understand

M’sian officials, PM tells US

KUALA TERENGGANU: Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
wants the United States to pass on
information pertaining to allegations
that Malaysian officials extorted money
from migrants in the country.
Stating that the government did not
tolerate such practice, he said that so
far, the authorities had not received
any report on the matter.
“If the US authority has it, we would
be very thankful if they can pass the
information to us so we can investigate
and take appropriate action,” he told
reporters here yesterday.
Abdullah was asked to comment on
a foreign news agency report that the
US senate was investigating allegations
that officials in Malaysia were extorting
money from foreign migrants and were
linked to human trafficking.
Asked if the Malaysian government
was in touch with the US authorities
on the issue, he said: “I have no infor-
mation if we have been in touch with
them. I would like to ask them.”
The AFP report, among others,
stated that the migrants, mostly from
military-ruled Myanmar, were allegedly
taken by government officials to the
border between Malaysia and Thailand
where they were extorted or sold to
human trafficking syndicates.
The investigations are being carried
out by the US Senate foreign relations
committee and the findings would be
relayed to key US enforcement agen-
cies and Interpol for possible action.
“US Senate foreign relations com-
mittee staff are reviewing reports of
extortion and human trafficking from
Myanmar and other migrants in Malay-
sia, allegedly at the hands of Malaysian
government officials,” a committee
staff member told the wire service.
“The allegations include assertions
that Myanmar and other mig-rants
– whether or not they have United
Nations High Commission for Refugees
documentation – are taken from Malay-
sian detention facili-
ties and transported to
the Thailand-Malaysia
over to human traffickers in southern
Thailand”.
Some of the immigrants from Myan-
mar and other countries are refugees
recognised by the office of the UNHCR.
Since 1995, about 40,000 refugees from
Myanmar have resettled in the United
States, many going through Malaysia.
US Senate foreign relations com-
mittee staff have travelled to Malaysia,
Thailand, and the Malaysia-Thailand
border, collecting information as part
investigations, officials said.
“If all reports are accurate, as many
as a few thousand Myanmar migrants
in Malaysia may have been taken to the
Malaysia-Thai border in recent years,”
the committee staff member said. “If
they pay, they return to Malaysia. If not,
they are sold to traffickers, according
to the reports.”
In Kuala Lumpur, Immigration
Department officials when contacted
yesterday said they would issue a
statement on the matter later.
Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez,
whose organisation last year published
the book, The Revolving Door, about the
artistes like Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Mawi the evil of war.
and Jaclyn Victor will be held at Istana “The world must produce a new
Budaya on Jan 31 in aid of the Palestine generation of people who hate war and
Humanitarian Fund. love peace,” she said at a luncheon at
The programme’s patron – the wife her official residence yesterday.
of the deputy prime minister, Datin Funds collected at the dinner, or-
Seri Rosmah Mansor, said the theme ganised by the Unity, Culture, Arts and
of the evening would revolve around Heritage Ministry, would be handed to
the hardships of the people of Gaza, Wisma Putra to be channelled to the
especially since Israel’s invasion on Palestine Humanitarian Fund.
Dec 27. Istana Budaya director-general
“The important thing is that the Mohd Juhari Shaarani said tickets would
atrocities of war must stop. We call be available at Istana Budaya from next
upon governments of the world to start week. The venue will accommodate up
educating their youngsters to appreci- to 1,400 people, he said.
Reduced speed
‘Pahang
man has
limits from Monday
no locus by Giam Say Khoon police, JPJ, Commercial Vehicle
standi newsdesk@thesundaily.com Licensing Board, National Anti-
Drug Agency and Tourism Board
to bring KUALA LUMPUR: From for the 15-day Ops Sikap during
signage Monday to Feb 2, the speed which the reduced speed limit
suit’ limit on all state and federal applies.
roads will be reduced by 10kph “A total of 1,200 JPJ officers
pg 8 as a safety measure for the rush and 5,000 police officers will be
home to celebrate the Year of deployed nationwide to catch
the Ox. speedsters and other traffic

Councillors border.”
At the border, it
plight of Myanmar refugees and work-
ers across the Thai-Malaysian border,
“Certain heavy vehicles are
also prohibited from the roads on
offenders.
“The police will also set up

stand firm is alleged, “money is

demanded from them,
said she was unaware of the Senate’s
probe.
Jan 24 and 25, and on Jan 31 and
Feb 1. This is to help ease traffic
congestion and minimise the
16 control towers on federal
roads and three on the North-
South Expressway.”
or they are turned
» From Front Page risk of road accidents,” Transport To ensure the smooth flow
A Petaling Jaya Municipal Council Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat of traffic, all road maintenance
“We are just a small company and have been talking said. work, except critical repairs, will
worker removes an advertisement
to the Datuk Bandar many times. Whenever we receive He also said temporary bus also stop during the period, Ong
from an illegal twin-pole billboard
a notice ordering the dismantling of the billboard, we licences would be issued to all said. “The Public Works Depart-
yesterday.
would appeal to the city council. The last appeal was operators to cater to the surge ment will identify such roads
submitted only a day ago, but still the council insisted in demand for services during and divert traffic to alternative
on dismantling my billboard,” he said. the long holiday stretch. routes.”
Initially, Tan and Fernandez engaged in a heated In a statement at the launch He reminded rear passen-
debate over the enforcement operation. Tan threat- of a road safety campaign by gers to buckle up, and motor-
ened the council with legal action but the councillors the ministry yesterday, Ong said cyclists to use Sirim-certified
stood firm. buses older than 12 years will helmets.
“I will have to send a lawyer’s letter to the council not be allowed to cover more On criticisms that the
to claim my losses. The construction of the billboard than 300km per trip. enforcement of rear safety belt
had already cost RM500,000, and also contract losses “Buses that have not been use would induce corruption,
from the advertiser,” Tan said. on the road for more than six Ong said: “If motorists and
About 20 of his workers joined the “persuasion” months must pass a Road passengers do not violate the
effort, resulting in a formidable police presence. Transport Department (JPJ) law, there is nothing to worry
Also present were Damansara Utama state examination before obtaining a about. Even if we have violated
assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin, and councillors Tiew licence to operate,” he said. the law, we have the right not
Way Keng, Mak Khuin Weng and Michael Soon. MBPJ “A joint enforcement opera- to bribe. It is just a matter of
will take three days to bring down the structure. tion will be carried out by the principle.”