Dr M: Malaysia won't meddle in Xinjiang issue but will provide asylum

Malaysia has reiterated its stand to not interfere in China's internal affairs amid calls for Putrajaya to act as a mediator between China and Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province.

This is despite Malaysia acknowledging the persecution against the Muslim minority group in Xinjiang, China.

"The issues of oppression against Islam worldwide, including the Uyghurs exist and must be acknowledged by all parties," said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a parliamentary written reply.

He told Chan Foong Hin (Harapan-Kota Kinabalu) who asked if Malaysia would take in Uyghur refugees or send them to a third country.

"If Uyghurs are fleeing to Malaysia to seek asylum, Malaysia will not extradite them even if there is an application from China (to do so)," responded Mahathir.

"They are allowed to go to the third country because they have valid fears over their safety or possible mistreatment based on their belief that they are not fairly protected in their country of origin," he said.

He said Malaysia's foreign policy takes the approach of not meddling in the internal affairs of another country.

In a statement on Dec 25, Bersatu Youth wants Malaysia to act as a mediator between China and Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province.

The wing cited Malaysia's experience in mediating between Muslim separatists and the governments of Thailand and the Philippines.

China claimed its re-education of Uyghurs is to curb extremism. The country's state media have released two documentaries detailing alleged terrorism in Xinjiang.

On Dec 24, a group of NGOs led by Angkatan Gerak Minda Malaysia (Agra) gathered outside the China embassy in Kuala Lumpur to hand over a memorandum condemning Beijing's treatment of the Uyghurs.

In a response to the memorandum yesterday, the embassy's spokesperson Tang Tang said while Beijing was open to constructive criticisms, it would "never accept irresponsible, utterly groundless accusations based on falsehoods".

In September, Mahathir said Muslim countries were silent about the persecution of Uyghurs "because China is a very powerful nation".

He said other ways must be found to deal with Beijing so as not to suffer repercussions.

The recently concluded Kuala Lumpur Summit, where Muslim leaders and scholars gather to discuss issues faced by Muslim countries, was also silent on the issue of the Uyghurs. - Mkini