Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUALALUMPUR245
2009-04-02 12:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
MALAYSIAN POLICE INVESTIGATES BURMESE REFUGEE TIP
how-toVZCZCXRO7600 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHKL #0245 0921216 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 021216Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2548 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000245
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREF PINR PINS PHUM KTIP BM BX ID MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIAN POLICE INVESTIGATES BURMESE REFUGEE TIP
ALLEGATIONS
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 102 - MALAYSIA 2009 TIP REPORT
B. 08 KL 1017 - INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT
C. 08 KL 495 - BURMESE ALLEGE TRAFFICKING AT BORDER
Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000245
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREF PINR PINS PHUM KTIP BM BX ID MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIAN POLICE INVESTIGATES BURMESE REFUGEE TIP
ALLEGATIONS
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 102 - MALAYSIA 2009 TIP REPORT
B. 08 KL 1017 - INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT
C. 08 KL 495 - BURMESE ALLEGE TRAFFICKING AT BORDER
Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and
d).
1. (U) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Musa Hassan
announced a joint investigation by Royal Malaysian Police
(RMP) and Malaysia's Immigration Department into allegations
that Immigration officials are involved in the trafficking of
Burmese refugees along the Malaysia-Thai border. The April 1
announcement indicated the TIP task force, established by the
RMP in late 2008, is leading the investigation with
cooperation from the Immigration Department. Musa Hassan
said, "The Malaysian Government is serious in combating human
trafficking. Legal action will be taken against those
involved, and we are also working closely with our Thai
counterparts in the investigation." He also told reporters,
"We do not condone this (alleged trafficking) and if anyone
is found to be involved, then he will have to face the
consequences." Musa added that he hosted a January 2009
tripartite meeting, in the East Malaysia state of Sarawak, of
police chiefs from Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia to discuss
transnational crimes, with a special emphasis on TIP.
2. (C) Poloff spoke with Mohamad Nizan, Principal Assistant
Secretary in the Foreign Ministry's Multilateral Political
Division, about the investigation. Mohamad Nizan said the
GOM was very concerned about the allegations and that the RMP
were looking into the matter. Poloff reminded Mohamad Nizan
that the international community was closely watching the
Malaysian government's response to the allegations and
expected Malaysia to take responsible action on the findings.
Mohamad Nizan assured us the GOM would act appropriately.
PolAsst spoke with Deputy Superintendent of Police Aida,
Officer-in-Charge of the TIP TF, about the announced
investigation. Aida confirmed the investigation, saying it
was a "first step." She hinted the RMP had identified
several immigration officials as linked to the trafficking
syndicate located along the Malaysian-Thai border.
3. (C) Comment: While the seriousness of Malaysia's law
enforcement actions will be most important to gauge, the
national police chief's announcement of the Malaysian
government's investigation is a significant improvement over
earlier statements by Foreign Minister Rais Yatim and Home
Minister Syed Hamid that were defensive and questioned the
basis of the allegations. This breakthrough in the Malaysian
government's public acknowledgment of the seriousness of the
trafficking allegations, and public confirmation of an
investigation, could reflect a new approach under the
leadership of incoming Prime Minister Najib (as well as the
waning stars of Rais Yatim and Syed Hamid who both failed to
win positions in the recent ruling party elections; their
continuation in the Cabinet is unclear). Post will monitor
the investigation's progress and continue to urge that the
GOM take full legal measures against any implicated officials.
KEITH
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS AND G/TIP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREF PINR PINS PHUM KTIP BM BX ID MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIAN POLICE INVESTIGATES BURMESE REFUGEE TIP
ALLEGATIONS
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 102 - MALAYSIA 2009 TIP REPORT
B. 08 KL 1017 - INTERIM TIP ASSESSMENT
C. 08 KL 495 - BURMESE ALLEGE TRAFFICKING AT BORDER
Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and
d).
1. (U) Inspector General of Police (IGP) Musa Hassan
announced a joint investigation by Royal Malaysian Police
(RMP) and Malaysia's Immigration Department into allegations
that Immigration officials are involved in the trafficking of
Burmese refugees along the Malaysia-Thai border. The April 1
announcement indicated the TIP task force, established by the
RMP in late 2008, is leading the investigation with
cooperation from the Immigration Department. Musa Hassan
said, "The Malaysian Government is serious in combating human
trafficking. Legal action will be taken against those
involved, and we are also working closely with our Thai
counterparts in the investigation." He also told reporters,
"We do not condone this (alleged trafficking) and if anyone
is found to be involved, then he will have to face the
consequences." Musa added that he hosted a January 2009
tripartite meeting, in the East Malaysia state of Sarawak, of
police chiefs from Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia to discuss
transnational crimes, with a special emphasis on TIP.
2. (C) Poloff spoke with Mohamad Nizan, Principal Assistant
Secretary in the Foreign Ministry's Multilateral Political
Division, about the investigation. Mohamad Nizan said the
GOM was very concerned about the allegations and that the RMP
were looking into the matter. Poloff reminded Mohamad Nizan
that the international community was closely watching the
Malaysian government's response to the allegations and
expected Malaysia to take responsible action on the findings.
Mohamad Nizan assured us the GOM would act appropriately.
PolAsst spoke with Deputy Superintendent of Police Aida,
Officer-in-Charge of the TIP TF, about the announced
investigation. Aida confirmed the investigation, saying it
was a "first step." She hinted the RMP had identified
several immigration officials as linked to the trafficking
syndicate located along the Malaysian-Thai border.
3. (C) Comment: While the seriousness of Malaysia's law
enforcement actions will be most important to gauge, the
national police chief's announcement of the Malaysian
government's investigation is a significant improvement over
earlier statements by Foreign Minister Rais Yatim and Home
Minister Syed Hamid that were defensive and questioned the
basis of the allegations. This breakthrough in the Malaysian
government's public acknowledgment of the seriousness of the
trafficking allegations, and public confirmation of an
investigation, could reflect a new approach under the
leadership of incoming Prime Minister Najib (as well as the
waning stars of Rais Yatim and Syed Hamid who both failed to
win positions in the recent ruling party elections; their
continuation in the Cabinet is unclear). Post will monitor
the investigation's progress and continue to urge that the
GOM take full legal measures against any implicated officials.
KEITH