‘No refugee, no money’

The scrapping of the Australia-Malaysia refugee swap could mean a waste of funds, abandoned buildings and unemployment.

PORT DICKSON: Residents of Port Dickson are relieved upon hearing that the 800 mostly Afghan refugees bound for their coastal town will not be arriving after all.

But this same news has spelt doom for those whose livelihoods now hang in limbo as a result of the unexpected turn of events.

Australia’s High Court ruled last Tuesday that its government’s refugee swap with Malaysia is unlawful as Australia couldn’t guarantee the rights of those sent to a country with a deplorable human rights record.

The 800 were meant to be housed for two months in four facilities within Port Dickson. Two of those facilities were hotels which pulled out after discovering that the reservations were not for management trainees like they were told.

Meanwhile, renovation work on the remaining two, Rumah Cycle and Carri, and Crescent Peak, began as soon as the deal was inked in July.

Rumah Cycle and Carri is a private bungalow bought over by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hassan earlier this year.

According to Port Dickson assemblyman M Ravi, the purchase was made in anticipation of the refugees’ arrival.

Crescent Peak is a former hotel that was undergoing a complete facelift in preparation of accommodating the most number of refugees. In addition to its existing tennis court and swimming pool, there were also plans to fit it with a karaoke room, Astro and a games room.

A previously abandoned building beside Crescent Court was also being refurbished so as to function as the living quarters for UNHCR officials tasked with monitoring the refugees.

“UNHCR gave the state government an initial cheque of RM13 million after the deal was signed,” PKR man Ravi told FMT. “But we’re not sure how much of it has already been spent on renovations and security.”

Unemployment looms for security guards

Up to three weeks ago both facilities were bustling with workers and an unusually heavy presence of security guards. But while the grounds are empty today the guards – all local – remain on duty.

“Who’s paying their salaries and what are they guarding?” demanded Ravi. “Crescent Peak has 30 guards on shifts. What is inside that building that they guarding so closely?”

Ravi’s political secretary, Lionel Perera, however is more sympathetic than suspicious.

According to him, all the guards at Crescent Peak had been enticed from the neighbouring service apartments with the promise of high salaries. But with the refugee deal called off, the 30 guards are left without employment.

“The person overseeing the work on Crescent Peak is also at his wits end because he used his own funds while waiting for the payment to be processed,” Perera said.

“And now he isn’t sure if he will be reimbursed or even paid,” he added.

Asked who owned the facility, Perera said not even the District Land Office was able to provide an answer for that.

FMT also learnt that a third premise, Rotary Sunshine Camp (dormitory), was leased by Mohamad Hassan just a week before the High Court’s decision and the caretaker had been given a two-week notice to vacate the premise.

A member of the Rotary Club Port Dickson confirmed this although the caretaker said she knew nothing of it.

Government pushing for reversal of ruling

Australia’s ruling had also done little to pacify Ravi who heard that the Malaysian government was lobbying hard for the ruling to be overturned.

Latheefa Koya of Lawyers for Liberty however said the decision cannot be appealed as it was based on the fact that Malaysia was not a signee to the 1951 Refugee Convention.

However, Ravi is not taking any chances.

He urged PKR’s Teluk Kemang MP Kamarul Bahrin Abbas to raise the matter during the next Parliament sitting in October.

“The government wants the refugees here because of the income they will generate. For instance the refugees’ meals alone will earn it RM95 per head per day,” he said.

He claimed that the four daily meals would have been supplied by Glory Beach Resort which was allegedly linked to a BN politician.

Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein yesterday said that the fate of the two facilities would depend on the Australian government’s next course of action.

“We have not decided yet as things have been on hold since the Australian court’s decision,” he was reported to have said.