16-31 May 1999

Documents obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald from the Australian Immigration Department revealed that Asians made up a large percentage of Australia’s 50,950 illegal immigrants in 1998. Of the total, 7% came from Indonesia, 5.3% from the Philippines, and 5% each from Japan and China. The greatest group came from Great Britain with 11.5 %, followed by the United States with 9.3 percent.

Source: Reuters, "Over 50,000 illegal immigrants in Australia -- paper," Sunday Observer, 16 May 1999.

Australian police arrested 17 illegal Chinese immigrants in the crocodile-infested swamp areas of North Cape York Peninsula. Through an interpreter, the police learned that the Chinese, all men, have been transported from South China by a boat for which some of them paid up to US$25,000. It is also suspected that more Chinese illegals might be hiding in the swamps. Last May 17, the Australian police also apprehended 69 illegal Chinese immigrants on board a high-tech Hong Kong Controlled cargo ship.

Top-level Australian immigration officials have flown to China to discuss with their counterpart strategies that will prevent illegal immigration. For its part, Chinese authorities have launched a crackdown on illegal immigration following reports of a rising number of mainlanders being smuggled overseas. The crackdown is focused on the provinces of Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi. Government disclosed that some 2,975 mainlanders have illegally left within the first four months of the year. It also noted that Australia is emerging as a new, cheaper alternative destination for the illegals who used to set their eyes on the United States.

Human rights groups in the United States of America have urged US firms operating on the mainland to secure Chinese workers’ rights. The groups, led by the International Labor Rights Fund, would like the firms to observe the following: prohibiting bonded and forced labor, prohibiting labor in prison camps, providing just wages, prohibiting corporal punishment, prohibiting physical or verbal or sexual abuse or harassment, and prohibiting child labor. Reebok, Levi-Strauss and Mattel have pledged to adhere to workers' rights.

The SAR’s Immigration Department discovered that illegals from Northern China have, for the past 16 months, been using forged South Korean passports to travel to Hong Kong, or to illegally fly to Canada and Europe. Most of the passports have been doctored through photo-substitution. Last year, 65 fake South Korean passports were detected and 13 in the first quarter of the current year.

Sonam Topgyal, the political head of the (Tibet) government-in-exile, told Japanese journalists that the Beijing government has deployed extra troops to tighten control over Tibet. The Communist Party reportedly bolstered security measures in Tibet, as it anticipates possible unrest that may erupt anytime from June 4, when the Tiananmen Square "massacre" in 1989 is remembered. Topgyal further reported that Beijing might have broken off contacts with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Reacting to Beijing’s directive for the destruction of Tibetan religion that it considered "an obstacle to national unity and economic progress, Topgyal asserted that Tibetan Buddhism is not just a religion but a "culture," a "heritage."

In a related news, the Tibetan exile groups in India protested a proposed World Bank project that will relocate 60,000 poor ethnic Chinese farmers in Dula, Qinghai province, a traditionally Tibetan area. The groups said that the transfer would further marginalize the Tibetans.

Beijing and SAR authorities are considering a proposal to allow post-graduate students from the mainland who are studying in the SAR to apply for passports in Hong Kong. This would enable mainland students to participate in international research opportunities and conferences, which they usually miss because they have to return to their hometowns to process travel documents. A mainland agency, such as Xinhua, may be designated to issue passports to the mainlander-students. There are 962 mainlanders taking post-graduate studies in Hong Kong.

The Chinese government has tightened its policies regarding the adoption of Chinese children by foreigners. According to the new rules, foreigners who want to adopt must personally go to China to register. They are also required to submit notarized information on their background, age, marital status, occupation, property, health record and police record.

Sources: Les Kennedy, "Illegals hidden in ship’s hold," The Age, 18 May 1999; Roger Maynard, "Vessel may hold illegal immigrants," South China Morning Post, 18 May 1999; Roger Maynard, "Hi-tech illegal immigrant trade alarms Canberra," South China Morning Post, 20 May 1999; AP, "Tibetan identity at risk from influx of farmers," South China Morning Post, 21 May 1999; "Alert sounds on ship packed with illegals," Hong Kong Standard, 24 May 1999; AP, "Australia in bid to stop boat people," The Star, 25 May 1999; AFP, "American firms told to protect workers," South China Morning Post, 28 May 1999; "Illegal immigrants hide out in crocodile swampland," South China Morning Post, 28 May 1999; AFP and Xinhua, "China tightens adoption rules for foreigners," The Straits Times, 29 May 1999; Reuters, "Chinese illegals caught in swamps," The Straits Times, 29 May 1999; Reuters, "17 boat people held after night in croc swamp," Hong Kong Standard, 29 May 1999; Glenn Schloss, "Korean passport forgeries," South China Morning Post, 29 May 1999; Glenn Schloss, "Surge in illegal immigrant numbers sparks crackdown," South China Morning Post, 29 May 1999; "Beijing accused of tightening grip on Tibet with troop deployments," South China Morning Post, 29 May 1999; Shirley Kwok, "Cross-border students may soon seek passports while in SAR," South China Morning Post, 31 May 1999; Ivan Tang, "Migrant workers to be monitored," South China Morning Post, 31 May 1999.

The Immigration Department reported that 700 mainlanders granted the right of abode by the January 29 Court of Final Appeal have been issued permanent identity cards. The recipients arrived in Hong Kong before the July 10, 1997 turnover, and had met other requirements for permanent residency in the SAR. Other applications are being processed.

Through Information Coordinator Stephen Lam Sui-lung, the SAR government reiterated its stand that overstaying mainlanders should first go back to the mainland. The government’s policy was adopted after some overstayers refused repatriation by claiming that they have the right to reside in Hong Kong under the controversial Court of Final Appeals January 29 Ruling, which granted right of abode to mainland-born children whose parent or parents are SAR permanent residents. (Please see AMN, 16-31 January 1999). According to government counsel Geoffrey Ma SC, the overstaying mainlanders should be repatriated, and if they have right of abode, they should file their claims in the mainland. Government justified the policy by citing an increasing number of overstaying mainlanders, which jumped from 2,939 in 1997 to 5,035 in 1998. Seventeen of the overstayers have questioned the government’s decision. The Court of Appeals is expected to give its decision soon.

Meanwhile, some 200 overstayers staged a protest march from the Legislative Council Building to the High Court, to show support to the 17 appellants.

In a bid to resolve a crisis sparked by the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) January 29 "Right of Abode Ruling", the SAR government decided to seek a re-interpretation of the Basic Law from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. It set aside two other options: amending the Basic Law (the SAR’s Charter), or asking the CFA to reconsider its decision. Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa explained that the move aims to reduce the number of mainland migrants, with rights of abode in the SAR, from 1.67 million to 200,000.

Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said that the SAR government is seeking a re-interpretation because it would like to have "a say" on which migrants should come from the mainland. Deputy Secretary for Security Timothy Tong Hin-ming justified government’s move by citing three reasons: 1. the SAR is facing unbearable consequences; 2. Hong Kong cannot solve the problem on its own, and; 3. there were views that the original intent of the Basic Law was not adhered to by the CFA. The SAR’s Legislative Council endorsed the decision. Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa explained his administration’s action to foreign chambers of commerce in Hong Kong on May 20.

The Frontier Union demanded that Tung’s decision be made public but the Chief Executive’s office said they would do so only after the State Council in Beijing has already acknowledged receipt of the SAR government’s decision. The Democratic Party, meanwhile, pledged to petition the Basic Law Committee to prevent the Executive from seeking the NPC’s reinterpretation. On the other hand, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong backed government’s decision, arguing that the power to interpret the Basic Law is vested in the NPC.

In reaction, the Hong Kong bar Association has called on the legal community to be "vigilant to issues involving the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary." It expressed regrets for the government’s decision. University of Hong Kong Law professor Yash Ghai took the government’s move as a sign of the "fading of the rule of law." Fearing that the morale of the Judiciary will be diluted by the move, the Justice Secretary appealed to the SAR’s judges not to resign.

The decision also sparked people’ protests. The Hong Kong Federation of Students distributed leaflets opposing the move, while some 500 people have engaged in a noisy confrontation at the Legco Building on the pros and cons of the decision.

The International Bar Association, composed of 2.5 million lawyers worldwide, wrote to SAR Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa urging him to uphold the rule of law. The lawyers argued that allowing the National People’s Congress to re-interpret the Basic Law would undermine the authority of the SAR’s highest court.

Meanwhile, the European Union voiced concern over the decision to approach the NPC. Acting European Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan, who is responsible for relations with the SAR and the mainland, said the move might have set a bad precedence, and might have jeopardized the rule of law and judicial independence.

For its part, the US State Department issued a statement stressing that it is watching the issue closely. It expressed sensitivity to "any developments that could adversely affect Hong Kong’s authority, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary or the protection of individual liberties." China, through Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao, warned the US not to interfere.

More views on the implications of the possible influx of mainlanders claiming right of abode have been expressed. On the positive side, government estimates that around 200,000 new jobs will be created because the influx would increase consumption spending. The retail, catering, and personal services sectors are expected to benefit the most.

The Chief Executive’s Commission on Innovation and Technology, meanwhile, suggested that the SAR should grant right of abode to mainland scientists, without any restrictions, in line with Tung Chee-hwa’s goal of turning Hong Kong into a technological innovation center.

The Bar Association has urged government officials to set up a points system for mainlanders eligible to have right of abode to help filter migrant entry. It suggested that points might be given to such criteria as family reunion, age, marital status, and work skills.

Also taking the side of migrants, the Movement Against Discrimination, a lobby group, hit the government for discriminating against mainlanders. It alleged that the SAR government has negatively stereotyped the mainland migrants as "poor and unemployable," who would exhaust government resources. On the contrary, the group pointed out, 14.5 % of migrants are rich, while 25.5% belong to the middle class.

On the negative side, Labor Commissioner Matthew Cheung Kin-chung feared that the influx would have tremendous impact on the labor market and the level of unemployment. He lauded government’s efforts at preventing the influx, by going to the NPC, which to him would protect jobs.

Hong Kong housewives have expressed opposition to the influx. In a letter to Chief Executive Tung, the Hong Kong Federation of Women told government that they would not recognize the mainland-born children’s (illegitimate) status nor adopt them even if they get right of abode. They supported Tung’s decision to seek legal remedies from the NPC.

A May 15-18 survey conducted by the Hong Kong Small and Medium Business Association revealed that 65% of the respondents (n=5,881) objected to the influx of mainlanders. Twenty-five percent of the respondents believe that the SAR should only allow the coming in of "young, educated, and productive" mainlanders.

Meanwhile, a survey done by the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute showed that more than 60% of the respondents (n=963) supported the SAR’s government’s decision to seek a re-interpretation of the Basic Law from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to solve the abode crisis.

Another survey, conducted by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, also showed that majority of the respondents (96% of 1,461 persons) would like to prevent an influx of mainlanders. Ninety percent expressed worry that an influx would adversely affect local employment opportunities, while 92.5 percent believed that the SAR government does not have the resources to take care of the migrants.

The Security Bureau of the SAR Government is studying the possibility of granting Vietnamese refugees permanent resident status, on humanitarian grounds. There are around 900 such refugees left in Hong Kong, as the SAR government repatriated tens of thousands over a period of 20 years. Meanwhile, the government has urged Vietnam to take back 600 refugees.

In exploratory talks with mainland authorities, the SAR government is working towards obtaining authority to visit Hong Kong residents who are detained or imprisoned on the mainland. The mainland authorities have, in principle, agreed on the need to come up with a system that will keep SAR officials informed about the status of detained SAR residents. Currently, the SAR does not have a legal right to demand communication with its imprisoned residents on the mainland. Under existing policies, the SAR could only give advice on the need to seek legal assistance, refer requests for aid to mainland authorities, request Beijing to trace SAR residents, and pressure the Beijing government to resolves cases expeditiously.

Hung Wai-tak, a famous racing commentator, was recently sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for raping his family’s Filipina maid. The victim, who also complained that the culprit threatened to kill her, was not named in the report. She was raped on March 6, 1998, when Hung’s wife was in Australia.

Sources: Angela Li, "Spell out crisis plans," South China Morning Post, 15 May 1999; AFP, "HK constitutional crisis looms," The Star, 17 May 1999; Jo Pegg, "Judges should fight for the law," South China Morning Post, 17 May 1999; "Bar recommends points system to filter migrant entry," South China Morning Post, 17 May 1999; "Boat people may get residency," Hong Kong Standard, 17 May 1999; "Overstayers plan to block NPC option," Hong Kong Standard, 17 May 1999; "Lawyers back NPC abode clarification," Hong Kong Standard, 17 May 1999; "Sha Tin majority against influx: poll," Hong Kong Standard, 17 May 1999; "Students warn against short cuts on abode," Hong Kong Standard, 17 May 1999; Carmen Cheung, "Legco set to support motion on Basic Law," Hong Kong Standard, 18 May 1999; No Kwai-yan, "Public beng given false impression, say legislators," South China Morning Post, 18 May 1999; Kong Lai-fan, "Officials perpetuating stereotypes," South China Morning Post, 18 May 1999; Angela Li, "Fury over ‘more time for talks’ plea," South China Morning Post, 18 May 1999; David Poon, "Candlelight vigil against role for NPC in abode crisis," Hong Kong Standard, 18 May 1999; Susan Shiu, "Candlelit protest decries NPC plan," South China Morning Post, 18 May 1999; Chris Yeung, "Lawyers make urgent plea on abode decision," South China Morning Post, 18 May 1999; "Committee has wide interpretative powers," South China Morning Post, 18 May 1999; "Overstayers fail in bid to block Tung," Hong Kong Standard, 18 May 1999; "Migrant labels an exaggeration," Hong Kong Standard, 18 May 1999; "Housewives warn of family fights," Hong Kong Standard, 18 May 1999; AP, "HK asks Beijing to revoke law," The Star, 19 May 1999; Jimmy Cheung, "Little chance court would reverse ruling," South China Morning Post, 19 May 1999; Jimmy Cheung, "Move sets bad precedent, warn experts," South China Morning Post, 19 May 1999; Loh Hui Yin, "Beijing may be asked to interpret law," The Straits Times, 19 May 1999; Audrey Parwani, "Ignore NPC if Basic Law breached," South China Morning Post, 19 May 1999; Chris Yeung, "NPC will be asked to revoke abode rights for 1.5m migrants," South China Morning Post, 19 May 1999; "How the crisis unfolded," South China Morning Post, 19 May 1999; "NPC review set to slash influx," Hong Kong Standard, 19 May 1999; Angela Li, "Legislators demand NPC safeguards," South China Morning Post, 20 May 1999; Angela Li "700 receive ID cards," South China Morning Post, 20 May 1999; Grace Loo, "Farewell to the rule of law," Hong Kong Standard, 20 May 1999; Chris Yeung, "Don’t quit plea to judges," South China Morning Post, 20 May 1999; Chris Yeung, "Beijing abode plea endorsed," South China Morning Post, 20 May 1999; Chris Yeung, "Officials try to allay fears from overseas," South China Morning Post, 20 May 1999; "HK split over move to alter charter," The Straits Times, 20 May 1999; "Move has public backing," Hong Kong Standard, 20 May 1999; "Tung to see chambers," Hong Kong Standard, 20 May 1999; "Protesters begin sit-in, hunger strike," Hong Kong Standard, 20 May 1999; AFP and Reuters, "China tells US to stay clear of HK row," The Straits Times, 21 May 1999; Jimmy Cheung, "Hi-tech talent bid looks north," South China Morning Post, 21 May 1999; Angela Li, "Democrats pledge to press ahead with fight," South China Morning Post, 21 May 1999; Angela Parwani, "Sit-in by mainlanders as appeal starts," South China Morning Post, 21 May 1999; Jo Pegg, "Racing expert’s rape term ruins family," South China Morning Post, 21 May 1999; Charles Snyder Washington, "US watching issue closely," Hong Kong Standard, 21 May 1999; Chris Yeung, "EU worried by abode move," South China Morning Post, 21 May 1999; Chris Yeung, "Regulations needed for Basic Law change," South China Morning Post, 21 May 1999; "Racing expert jailed for 5 years," Hong Kong Standard, 21 May 1999; "China’s reading on right of abode sought," The Straits Times, 21 May 1999; "Halting migrants will protect jobs," Hong Kong Standard, 21 May 1999; "Bar calls for vigilance from local community," Hong Kong Standard, 21 May 1999; Angela Li, "Test case criteria in question," South China Morning Post, 22 May 1999; Audrey Parwani, "Claim of abode inaction unfair," South China Morning Post, 22 May 1999; Jimmy Cheung, "Principles set out for reinterpretation," South China Morning Post, 24 May 1999; "Right of abode debate ends in assault," South China Morning Post, 24 May 1999; Rhonda Lam Wan, "Release report on abode decision : Frontier," South China Morning Post, 25 May 1999; Rhonda Lam wan, "SAR seeks say in choosing migrants," South China Morning Post, 25 May 1999; Carmen Cheung, "New clampdown on overstayers planned," Hong Kong Standard, 28 May 1999; Lily Dizon, "Migrants jumping the queue, says Ma," Hong Kong Standard, 28 May 1999; Grace Loo, "Professor sees rule of law fading because of approach to NPC," Hong Kong Standard, 28 May 1999; Grace Loo and Brian Sit, "Security Bureau mulls HK detainee visits," Hong Kong Standard, 28 May 1999; Audrey Parwani, "Justices query migrant removal order," South China Morning Post, 28 May 1999; Cannix Yau, "Abode step wins public support," Hong Kong Standard,, 28 May 1999; "Tung’s law report to get an airing," Hong Kong Standard, 28 May 1999; Carmen Cheung, "Overstayers must return to mainland," Hong Kong Standard, 29 May 1999; Ng Kang-Chung, "Influx could create 200,000 jobs, officials admit," South China Morning Post, 29 May 1999; Grace Loo, "Deal reached on detained locals," Hong Kong Standard, 29 May 1999; Audrey Parwani, "Global lawyers group spells out abode concern," South China Morning Post, 29 May 1999.

Four Koreans (another source says five), believed to constitute a criminal ring, were arrested by the police for making 12 Korean women work as prostitutes in Macau last year and early this year. The syndicate has reportedly collected five million won every month from Macau entertainment owners for "managing" the women. The group’s leader was identified as Kim Du-bong, 36.

Sources: "5 men nabbed for luring women into prostitution in Macao," Korea Times, 31 May 1999; "Four Koreans arrested for selling women to Macao," Korea Herald, 1 June 1999.

Taiwanese journalists wanting to cover the 10^th anniversary of the "Tiananmen Square crackdown" in Beijing were refused accreditation by China’s authorities. They have complained of having to deal with the same problem every year, when commemorations of student-led protests on June 4, 1989 that ended in bloodshed are marked. As a policy, the Beijing government requires press people from abroad to secure accreditation from authorities before they can operate in the mainland.

To promote Brunei’s tourism development, the Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), the Brunei Hotel Association, and the Brunei Tour Agency Association have set their eyes on Taiwan as a source of tourists. RBA noted that the number of passengers on flights between Taipei and Brunei is "not good." Mr. Han Zhiyi, a representative of Taipei’s economic and culture administrative office in Brunei, pointed out that the main reason why the Taiwanese are not keen on visiting Brunei is the time-consuming visa application procedure. He said it is necessary to ease the process.

Sources: "More Taiwanese will come if visa problem resolves," Sarawak Tribune, 27 May 1999; AFP, "Taiwan press denied visas," Hong Kong Standard, 29 May 1999.

Labor and Social Affairs Minister Abdulnabi Al Sho’ala said that one percent of foreign workers in Bahrain are "runaways." To solve the problem, he called for the activation of labor inspection teams, a closer cooperation among concerned government offices, re-studying labor laws and establishing a closer linkage with the Bahrain Bar Association. He stressed that government does not intend to prevent companies from hiring foreign workers as long as they employ the required percentage of Bahraini labor.

Source: "Runaway labour only one percent of expats," Bahrain Tribune, 26 May 1999.

Iran’s Pasdaran Revolutionary Guards reportedly killed 30 Afghans at the Iran-Afghanistan border. They also seized weapons and illegal drugs from the Afghans who they believed to be drug smugglers.

Source: AFP, "Iran claims killing 30 Afghan smugglers," Dawn, 21 May 1999.

Two Jordanians, cousins Khaled Hussein al-Huwiti and Ghazi Hamdan al-Huwiti, were beheaded in a public square in Qurayat for drug smuggling. Mohamed Hussein Safar, an Afghan in Madina, suffered the same fate, for the same offence.

Source: AFP, "Four beheaded," Dawn, 22 May 1999.

The efforts of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) government and citizens towards the refugee problem in Kosovo crisis was lauded by Geoffrey Hoon, the new British Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Hoon specifically cited the UAE’s expressed political support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) military action in Yugoslavia, and its humanitarian relief undertakings. Hoon also cited Saudi Arabia for the same efforts.

In Albania, UAE authorities have been asked to support more refugee camps in addition to the one it finances near the Yugoslav-Albanian border. NATO officials and relief operation workers have praised the UAE-sponsored refugee camp.

Recently, students at the Zayed University in Abu Dhabi raised Dh25, 000 to aid Kosovo refugees. Businessmen from Dubai and the Northern Emirates collected some 15,000 ready-made garments, and a truckload of food items; and the Joint Committee of Women’s Associations has raised some Dh120, 000 and medicines worth Dh40, 000.

Sources: Sevag Davidian, "UAE plans more refugee camps," Gulf News, 16 May 1999; "Out of refugee misery, a new Mafia," Gulf News, 20 May 1999; "Women raise funds for Kosovo refugees," Gulf News, 24 May 1999; Stuart Laundy, "New UK minister hails UAE’s Kosovo aid," Gulf News, 27 May 1999; "Drive to collect food, clothes for Kosovars," Khaleej Times, 27 May 1999; "Hoon hails UAE humanitarian drive," Khaleej Times, 27 May 1999; "Students collect Dh25, 000 for refugees," Khaleej Times, 27 May 1999.

Starting June 2, Pakistan citizens applying for non-immigrant US visas would no longer be required to set prior appointments for interview. According to a press release from the US embassy in Islamabad, a US Embassy officer will immediately accommodate any Pakistani in line by 10 a.m. on any working day. The rule relaxation will benefit those seeking to go to the US as tourists, students or temporary workers.

Pakistani police prevented 26 British workers and nine staff spouses from leaving a plant of foreign-owned Hub Power Company Ltd. (Hubco). They were told that they would face arrest if they went beyond the vicinity of the power plant. British embassy officials reported what they called "harassment" to Pakistani government officials. Hubco, in which Britain’s National Power has a major stake, has been at odds with the Pakistani government for allegedly "overcharging the state utility for power."

Sources: Reuters, "Pakistan police block Britons in power plant," Sunday Observer, 24 May 1999; "Rules for US visa relaxed," Dawn, 28 May 1999.

Sri Lanka’s Labor Minister John Seneviratne has ordered the Foreign Employment Bureau to set up safe houses in the host countries of overseas Lankan workers. Said houses, to be modeled after those in Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia will be constructed in the premises of the country’s embassies. They are aimed at providing safety and temporary shelter to the Lankan workers who encounter employment problems in their host countries, and would like the embassies to aid them in the redress of their grievances. Primarily, the houses are intended for Lankan housemaids, now numbering 700,000. In the second week of May, some 40 maids from Kuwait and Lebanon decided to go home after reportedly encountering problems with their employers.

Source: Anton Nonis, "Safe houses for Sri Lankan workers abroad," Sunday Observer, 16 May 1999.

The Brunei government is on alert after it noted a rising trend in the number of fake passport holders who make Brunei a transit point for subsequent travels to Europe, Australia and other international destinations. The violators, usually caught at the airport check-in counters, reportedly take the Brunei national air carrier. Noting this, the government has imposed a heavy fine on airlines that carry passengers without proper travel documents. It also set up close coordination between airlines and the Immigration office. Recently, two Australia-bound Iranians who colored their hair to resemble the Britons on their passports were arrested. They came from Kuala Lumpur on board the Royal Brunei Airlines, which stopped over Brunei, on its way to Brisbane.

Source: Ignatius Stephen, "Brunei alert on fake passports," Borneo Bulletin, 28 May 1999.

Cambodia (see also Thailand)

Seven underage girls filed charges of rape against Philip Gordon William, a 37-year old teacher from Scotland. The girls alleged that William forced them to have sex with him and beat them up when they refused. William was apprehended as he was trying to leave Cambodia for neighboring Thailand.

Source: Reuters, "British held on child sex charge in Cambodia," Borneo Bulletin, 25 May 1999.

Indonesia (see Malaysia)

Seventy percent of the estimated 600,000 illegal immigrants in Malaysia are working in the plantation sector. This was revealed by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abdul Kadir Sheik Fadzir. He said that the Immigration Department and the Royal Malaysia Police are currently aiming their crackdown operations at employers in the sector who have hired foreigners with no valid working permits, and have failed to apply with the Home Ministry on their need for the services of foreign workers. Malaysians guilty of employing illegal foreign workers face a fine of up to RM10, 000 or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both.

MP Henrynus Amin, an opposition legislator said that the Home Ministry’s estimate that foreigners constitute 25% (or 687,500) of Sabah’s current 2.75 million population is "too conservative." He believed that aliens in Sabah could actually number one million. He pointed out that the Home Ministry failed to consider reports that citizens from neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia and the Philippines, have posed as Malays and applied for Malaysian identity cards.

Malaysia’s Immigration Department issued an advisory reminding foreigners entering Malaysia to make sure that their passports are stamped every time they pass through Immigration. Holders of unstamped passports, although legitimate passport holders, will always be suspected of having entered the country illegally. The advice was given after six genuine Singaporean passport holders were prevented from leaving Malaysia because they assumed their passports were stamped when they passed through Immigration. It turned out that the Immigration people might have forgotten to stamp them. The Singaporeans were subsequently allowed to leave, but were given a warning on the importance of having their passports stamped.

Johor-based illegal immigrants have used false or stolen Malaysian identity cards in applying for passports. Once they obtain a Malaysian passport, they subsequently apply for permit to work in Singapore. Immigration Director-General Aseh Che Mat discovered the modus operandi, and he ordered more checks to apprehend the culprits. The Immigration Department believes that the violators are mostly Indian nationals and Bangladeshis.

The Malaysian Chinese Association, a component of the ruling National Front Coalition, has joined the Chinese-led, opposition Democratic Action party in rejecting the idea of transforming Malaysia into an Islamic state. Earlier, leaders of the Parti Islam se-Malaysia told the Chinese community about the possibility of the country becoming an Islamic state.

Students at the SMK Bintulu marked their Teachers Day by raising funds for the Kosovo Albanian refugees. In two days’ time, they were able to collect RM951.60.

Sources: Mazwin Nik Anis, "Ruse to get work in Singapore," The Star, 19 May 1999; David Ho, "Students mark Teachers Day with donation for Kosovo refugees," Sarawak Tribune, 19 May 1999; Bernama, "Operation against illegal aliens at plantation sector," Sarawak Tribune, 23 May 1999; "Check passports, visitors told," The Star, 26 May 1999; Arman Gunsika, "MP: As many as one million aliens in Sabah," Borneo Bulletin, 29 May 1999; Ian Stewart, "Ethnic groups told not to fear Islamic state," South China Morning Post, 29 May 1999.

Philippines (see also Malaysia)

Memorandum Circular No. 11 of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) stressed that Filipino domestic helpers would only be deployed to countries with existing guarantees that protect the rights of OFWs, or which have friendly bilateral agreements with the Philippines. POEA head Reynaldo Regalado revealed that the Philippines has already entered into agreements regarding this matter with 34 OFW-hosting countries. Along this thrust, Regalado said, the following deployment policies for domestic helpers have been adopted: 1. the minimum age requirement for departing maids is 21, except in countries where the requirement is higher or where the minimum employable age is 18; 2. deployment will only be allowed after the maids have obtained a certificate from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and have undergone the standard Pre-Deployment Orientation Seminar; 3. foreign placement agencies hiring domestic helpers should get pre-qualification certificates.

Some 23,000 Filipino maids (another source says 30,000) in Hong Kong listened to President Joseph Estrada at the Kai Tak Airport on May 17. Estrada, who was on his first official visit to the SAR, thanked the OFWs for their remittances and pledged to "seriously consider (their) urgent demands." A day earlier, hundreds of Filipino maids and advocacy groups held a protest rally in the central business district to air out problems that they would like Estrada to take note of. Led by the United Filipinos in Hong Kong, the protesters hit the HK$200 levy, the "exploitative" passport application and renewal fees in Hong Kong. They also want the Philippine Consulate open on Sundays.

The maids have also complained about reports that their employers are subjecting them to video surveillance. Estrada took the matter up in a meeting with SAR Chief Tung Chee-Hwa, who assured him of an investigation.

There are currently 160,000 OFWs in Hong Kong, around 140,000 of them working as domestic helpers. The Filipinos comprise 80% of the 178,000 foreigners working as maids.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has called President Joseph Estrada’s attention to the problems of OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The group reported that some airport officials and personnel have facilitated the departure of OFWs without proper documents in exchange for fees. The syndicate allegedly also extorted money from arriving OFWs. To correct the problem, PAOCC has suggested the creation of a monitoring team, to be composed of persons from the Customs and Immigration bureaus.

Some 61 families living in the Ruwais Housing Complex in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are having problems with the Philippine government’s education policy requiring college freshmen or transferees, including overseas-based Filipino children, to earn academic units in the Filipino language, literature and social studies. The Ruwais-based OFWs complained that the Ruwais International School (RIS), the only school in their area, does not offer the required subjects. They said that their children could only take the subjects in Abu Dhabi, which is three hours away by bus, an option that implies the need for more financial allotments and safety measures. Another option would be to send their children back to the Philippines. They have petitioned government officials to work for the offering of the required subjects in the RIS. Government said it would consider the proposal provided that the UAE Ministry of Education of Youth approves it.

Military intelligence men detailed with the Bureau of Immigration recently arrested 18 Indian nationals for "misrepresentation of immigration documents." Allegedly engaging in usurious lending and illegal retail trading, the Indians were believed to be illegally staying in the country. Meanwhile, Immigration officials reported that they are deporting 31 of the almost 100 Chinese nationals arrested on suspicion of being illegal aliens. They failed to present valid travel documents.

Officials of the United States of America’s embassy in Manila have noted an increase in the number of non-immigrant visa applications. They revealed that from January to May 17 this year, the number of applications was 76,513. The figure is 4,077 more than what the embassy considered during the same period in 1998. Suspecting that misinformation regarding the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the US and the Philippines was the cause of the increase, US Consul General Caryl Courtney issued a press briefing to stress that the agreement has nothing to do with visa applications. Earlier, there were speculations that the US embassy would be lax in the processing of visa applications to get public support for the VFA, which was then being deliberated upon by the Philippine Senate. The Philippine government ratified the agreement on May 20.

Records at the US embassy reveal that for every one (1) approved visa application, 20 are denied. On average, some 100,000 non-immigrant visas are issued to Filipinos annually. Around two million applications are denied. With each application charged at US$45, the US embassy rakes in some US$90.5 million in fees every year.

The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women in the Asia Pacific, a non-government organization, revealed that some Filipino women are sold as brides or prostitutes. The women are reportedly traded for an amount ranging from US$3,000 to US$5,000 each. The expose was made by Aurora De Dios, the Coalition’s director, in a consultation conducted by Philippine legislators.

Sources: AP, "Estrada visits HK amid protests," The Star, 17 May 1999; Diego Cagahastan, "Estrada assures Filipino workers in Hong Kong," Manila Bulletin, 17 May 1999; Tessi Cruz, "Estrada pledges to take heed of workers’ needs," Hong Kong Standard, 17 May 1999; Donna Pazzibugan, "Filipino maids in Hong Kong also complain of surveillance," Philippine Daily Inquirer, 17 May 1999; Barbara Mae Dacanay, "Maids unhappy with being spied upon," Gulf News, 18 May 1999; Barbara Mae Dacanay, "HK assures probe into video surveillance of maids," Gulf News, 19 May 1999; Johnna Villaviray, "VFA won’t get Pinoys visas – US embassy," Manila Times, 20 May 1999; Barbara Mae Dacanay, "Housemaids to be deployed only in friendly countries," Gulf News, 20 May 1999; "Gov’t curbs deployment of RP maids," The Manila Times, 20 May 1999; Gilbert Felongco, "Filipinos struggle to solve school dilemma," Gulf News, 22 May 1999; Barbara May Dacanay, "Crack team to probe OFW complaints of airport harassment," Gulf News, 24 May 1999; Donna Pazzibugan, "18 Indians nabbed for illegal trade, usury," Philippine Daily Inquirer, 27 May 1999; AFP, "Filipinas being sold for $5,000," The Straits Times, 29 May 1999; Crispin Aranda, "Your chance of getting US visa is 1 in 20," Philippine Daily Inquirer, 31 May 1999.

According to records from the Manpower Ministry, there are currently 530,000 foreign workers in Singapore. Stratified according to line of work, some 80,000 are highly skilled and better educated, employed in the finance, business, commerce and manufacturing sectors. Some 200,000 others are construction workers while 100,000 are domestic helpers. The rest are engaged in the service sector and marine industries. Between 1994 and 1997, there had been an increase of 15% annually in the number of immigrant workers.

Genoveva Telada Butardo, 35, a Filipina domestic helper, was sentenced to two years in jail for stealing her employer’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, which she used to withdraw S$15,000. She knew the Personal Identification Number of her employer, Parmi Said, because the latter once made her withdraw some money using the card. She was also accused of stealing her boss’s gold bracelet worth S$550. The penalties were lowered because the accused confessed to the charges.

Meanwhile, an unidentified Indonesian maid was found drowned in the swimming pool of her employers. The incident was reported to the police by a relative of the house owners. The employers were reportedly on vacation, and left the maid alone in the house.

Sources: Chong Chee Kin, "Maid left at home alone found dead in pool," The Straits Times, 20 May 1999; "Foreigners can propel two S’pores," The Straits Times, 20 May 1999; "Maid stole $15,000 with ATM card," The Straits Times, 22 May 1999.

In the Tak province, the proposal to declare the districts of Mae Sot, Phop Phra and Mae Ramat as a special economic zone is being backed up by the House Committee on Economic Affairs. When the declaration is finalized, the districts will be exempted from the policy barring the employment of foreign workers effective August 5 this year. The districts have been heavily reliant on foreign workers, particularly the Burmese. The Tak Industrial Council earlier appealed to the government to allow the 64 factories in the districts to continue hiring foreign workers since a ban would spell losses amounting to 25million baht a day.

Recently, the government has been rounding up illegal foreign workers for deportation. Some 6,000 (another source places the number at 7,000) Burmese workers were arrested in Mae Sot last May 21. According to the estimates of the Mae Sot District Police Chief, Major General Chanwut Wajarapuk, there are around 100,000 illegal Burmese workers in the district.

Meanwhile, the Labor and Social Welfare Ministry believes there are some one million illegal workers from the Asian countries in Thailand. Eighty percent of them are reportedly Burmese.

The government, through the Labor and Social Welfare Ministry, is filing charges against Arasian Gulf Company (Thailand) for not paying 380 Thais it hired to work in Qatar. Three hundred and thirty six of the workers had already returned to Thailand. The company was a contractor for a housing estate project in Qatar.

Cambodian refugees in Thailand have protested the decision of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) to repatriate them. They argued that they could not go home because their lives are still in danger in Cambodia. On May 24, the protesters had clashes with the UNCHR security personnel and the Thai police, who prevented them from setting foot on UNCHR grounds.

Sources: Supamart Kasem, "Thousands of illegal aliens sent back after factory raids," Bangkok Post, 22 May 1999; Reuters, "7,000 Myanmar illegals arrested," The Straits Times, 22 May 1999; Penchan Charoensuthipan, "Firm sued for failure to pay its Thai workers in Qatar," Bangkok Post, 26 May 1999; Allen Hicken, "Refugees upset by repatriation," Bangkok Post, 26 May 1999; Supamart Kasem, "Tak factories want to hire Burmese," Bangkok Post, 26 May 1999; Temsak Traisophon and Supamart Kasem, "Special economic zone would ease labor shortage," Bangkok Post, 29 May 1999.