Shamini Darshini, executive director of Amnesty’s Malaysian chapter, told FMT there was a shade of duplicity in Muhyiddin’s call in that he appeared to show concern for refugees’ welfare whereas, she alleged, Malaysia’s record was far from pristine.

She gave the example of last month’s deportation of a family of six to Turkey despite their being under the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

“If Malaysia is serious about refugee protection, it must not violate the principle of non-refoulement,” she said.

Last Sunday, Bernama quoted Muhyiddin as saying he had told the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) at a meeting in New York that developed countries should share with countries like Malaysia the cost of providing healthcare, education and other services to refugees.

He said he proposed that IOM bring the matter to the United Nations’ attention.

Darshini noted that refugees in Malaysia did not have access to education and employment and alleged that they lived under constant fear of arrest, detention and refoulement.

Tenaganita executive director Glorene Das also commented on Muhyiddin’s statement, saying he should have indicated some concern over the status of refugees who had been in Malaysia for long periods.

She alleged that the government had refused to recognise their contribution to Malaysia’s development and would not integrate them into Malaysian society.

“Many have been in Malaysia for more than three decades,” she said.

North South Initiative executive director Adrian Pereira said refugees could take care of themselves if the government were to allow them to work.