The Explosion

On 16th June 1979, Deputy Prime Minister Mahatir announced that Malaysia would send the 70,000 Vietnamese refugees on its coast back into the deep seas and shoot any others who try to land. These blatantly savage attempts to solve its refugee problem caused shock waves around the world.

However, a few days later, in face of the the international outcry, the Prime Minister, Hussein Onn backed down on the Government's 'tough' stand, maintaining that such action would only be taken as a just resort.

With the benefit of hindsight, many political reporters maintained the 'shooting policy' was a political gimmick to speed up the Western countries' resettlement program, in order to rid Malaysia of its Vietnamese refugees. The analysis though plausible in the international context, has totally overshadowed the equally deep underlying implication to its internal audience.

It was no mere coincidence that Mahatir author of the infamous "The Malay Dilemma" (banned in Malaysia for its overt racism and anti-national sentiments), also called for a Vietnamese refugee holocaust on the Malaysian shores. It will probably be more efficient than the Nazis gas chamber, as there will be no corpses to bury and no mass graves and tell tale evidence.

Had such an extremist call been from an ambitious UMNO youth leader, it could be easily dismissed as an old trick, long practised in UMNO for those who want a publicity ego trip. But such a form of extremism from a pariah, who is none other than 2nd in command to a vulnerable Hussein Onn, can be terrifying to a nation sitting on a hotbed of racial violence.

Handling of the Refugee Problem

The first refugees arrived on the shores of Malaysia after the fall of Saigon in '75. They were mainly Vietnamese ethnics seeking greener pastures in the Western World. The United States, licking its wounds in the sidelines after a humiliating thrashing, (the defeat of the world's military giant by some "Stave carrying peasants) could not swallow her pride. True to Uncle Sam's spirit, she decided to intensify the propaganda war, to cover up a lost military war.

Hence, for a brief period there was a hustle-bustle of human shipments from Vietnam and operation Airlift Baby. The sensational live telecast of ex-president Gerald Ford gingerly huddling one of the cute little babies, was flashed across the TV screens all over the world. Later, the world focus was no longer on Vietnam, and the refugee problem was also conveniently forgotten.

Meanwhile, the refugees continued to arrive at a steady stream in Malaysia, rising to a peak in 78-79, the height of the Vietnam-China conflict. From the very beginning, the Malaysian Government refused to recognise them as bona fide refugees, a discriminatory departure from former policies, and contrary to the humanitarian spirit as adopted by the United Nations. Despite international censure, the Malaysian Government obstinately clung to her practice of calling the refugees illegal immigrants for obvious sly political reasons. Under international laws, illegal immigrants could at any time be booted out of the host country and deported back to where they came from.

Secondly, the double standard of the Malaysian authorities in dealing with the refugees is despicable. Since the beginning of the secession war by Muslim minorities in Mindanao, Philippines in late 1972, there began a mass exodus of Muslim refugees to Sabah. It was estimated that there are still around 100,000 refugees in the East Malaysia state. To date, the Malaysian government has maintained a silent approval or more precisely turn a blind eye to their presence. Fan Yew Teng, (an ex. DAP MP) in a letter to Far Eastern Economic Review, 11 May. 1979 wrote:

"To the credit of the Malaysian authorities there has been no fuss, outcry, stone throwing or drowning for these people of the Muslim minority group running away from the oppression of the Marcos regime. They are not called illegal immigrants but are allowed to stay as refugees. Why, then, should it be different for the Vietnamese boat people? Is it because they are of a different religious and ethnic background."

Also to the credit of the Malaysian authorities 4000 muslim refugees from Kampuchea were also allowed into the country. The question thus, is religion or race a means test for humanitarianism?

Granted Malaysia is a third world country, clouded with internal problems and frustrated by the hypocracy and half-hearted resettlement plans of Western nations, however the ruthless treatment of the Vietnamese still impinges and breaches the international code of humanitarianism. To quote a recent TV news:

"A leaking boat loaded with 100 refugees was towed into deep sea by the Malaysian authorities, given only 4 hours of fuel supply. When finally picked up by a World Vision ship, it has been adrift for 3 days. All occupants were suffering from dehydration and hunger and only 2 out of the hundred could stand on their feet!

Tracing the Roots

The Malaysian Government should be held responsible and unreservedly censured for its atrocities and barbaric disregard for human life. But the refugee problem is neither the beginning nor the end. One should not be totally bogged down with short sightedness and sentiments. Neither sympathy, tears nor financial contributions will end the problem. The refugee problem, which could only be stopped at its source, is but only the tip of an iceberg. A more dangerous and complex time bomb lies hidden - that of a Vietnamese specter over South East Asia. Last December, Vietnam invaded Kaumpchea with a 100,000 strong army. Today she hovers over the Thai border, with insatiable appetite for South East Asia.

With the wolf knocking on the door, the ASEAN leaders were mopping cold sweat as they huddled together in Bali. A thinly disguised international SOS was hurriedly issued. Sheer desperation in a 'Do or Die' situation has finally driven some sense into ASEAN. For the first time, it dared to point the accusing finger at the culprit (even though they failed to name it.)

Even before the end of the war in Indochina, Vietnam had long harboured the ambition of the Indochina Federation under her control The opportunity came after the war. The US fled leaving behind a large arsenal of military hardware. With success gone into their head, the Vietnamese leaders boasted being the third strongest military power in the world. Russia immediately cashed in for the loot. With the moral boost of a new military 'treaty" and fresh ammunition, Vietnam set off on a path of aggression, eyeing not only Kampuchea and Laos, but the whole of South East Asia.

Being a country at war for more than 30 years, Vietnam's economy is in a shambles. Economic reconstruction should be her top priority. Hence, to drum up for aggression beyond her territories, the Vietnamese regime has resorted to Hitler's tactics, to propagate jingoism. Like the victimised Jews, the 3 million Chinese minority in Vietnam were singled out as scapegoats for persecution, especially in view that China would be an obstacle to her expansionist ambition in the region.

Being more subtle than Hitler, the Vietnamese regime decided it could make a fast buck by providing one way passage, with lots of exit taxes, to her "undesirable' people. At the same time it has the effect of lowering unemployment, decreased demand on scarce food, and literally lessen all other economic headaches of supporting a huge population with a sick economy. Further, these boat people would disrupt the already shaky regimes in SEA. Hence, by discharging responsibility of her people, she is also hitting many birds without even wasting one stone!

The Answer?

For too long (four years) the world has decided to shut its eyes as Vietnam washed it dirty linen. Such escapism was a sad mistake. Today the pollution is already beyond tolerance limit in many countries. The answer is to act now and fast.

The refugee flow has to be turned off and Vietnam severely reprimanded for violation of human rights and inhumane treatment of her people. The first positive step has been taken by many nations, that of suspending economic aid while such atrocities continue. It necessary economic and trade sanctions can be imposed against her if she refuses to toe the line.

But more importantly is to contain her military aggression and political ambition in the region. SEA countries should be vigilant and unite to frustrate the Vietnamese Russian conspiracy to colonise SEA. China, too has an important role to play Another Deng Xiaoping type lesson might do much to deflate Vietnam's expansionist: ego.

Pak Hassan.