Word: mahathir
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Dates: during 1979-1979
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...policy was born of desperation, although it seemed shockingly inhumane. Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced that his government was going to get tough with refugees from Viet Nam. Not only would Malaysia shoot on sight at any more of the so-called boat people who tried to land on its shores, said Mahathir, but it would push back to sea the 76,000 who have already landed there. If necessary, continued Mahathir, Malaysia would build boats in which to remove them. Said he: "If they try sinking the boats, they won't be rescued. They...
...Mahathir's ugly words may actually have done the refugees a service, since the threat shocked the Western world into belated recognition of a human tragedy that is almost beyond solution. One Italian newspaper called the situation a "liquid Auschwitz," meaning that in its size and horror the plight of the Southeast Asian refugees is taking on some of the aspects of Hitler's "final solution...
...Mahathir's outburst typified the depth of anger and frustration felt not only by Malaysia but also by several of its neighbors in Southeast Asia. The resources and patience of these countries have been severely strained by the steadily rising numbers of refugees from Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia. In addition to the 76,000 refugees in Malaysia, there are 160,000 in Thailand, 31,500 in Indonesia and 57,000 in Hong Kong, and the governments of these nations are getting more and more worried Two weeks ago, Thailand repatriated 42,000 Cambodian refugees at gunpoint, sending them...