The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur has remained mum on a government proposal to give enforcement officers a cash reward for every illegal immigrant they arrest.

Contacted today, an official speaking for UNHCR chief Volker Turk said they had no comments at this stage on the government proposal.

Chinese-language daily Sin Chew Daily had reported yesterday that the home ministry would provide this incentive to fight graft among its enforcement personnel.

While Home Minister Azmi Khalid, who was quoted in the report, did not reveal the quantum involved, the daily put the figure at RM100 for each arrest made.

Azmi said that immigration, police and especially Rela (police volunteer force) officers would be entitled to the reward.

Allegations are rife that officers are often bribed by immigrants to avoid arrest, or that they themselves harass foreigners for cash inducements to be left alone.

The ministry's proposal comes at a time when the government has offered amnesty to all illegal immigrants to return home. They may return if they obtain the required documents and follow proper procedures.

Malaysia receives a large number of migrant workers especially from Indonesia, Burma and the Philippines. Several hundred thousand of them would have crossed the borders without valid papers, in search of jobs mainly in the construction and services sectors.

Refugees and asylum seekers are often also detained when raids are conducted to round up undocumented foreigners.

Burmese protestors

The UNHCR official also said the agency has registered the remaining three of 11 Burmese nationals detained for protests outside the Burmese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur last week. They have yet to be charged with any offence.

"They are being held on remand in the Jalan Pudu police lock-up while investigation and prosecution details are being work out by the authorities," said the official.

This was confirmed by the police investigating officer at the Cheras police district headquarters station, when contacted.

One problem the authorities face is to secure the services of an interpreter to expedite action against the protestors.

Nineteen other Burmese dissidents, arrested and convicted under immigration laws after protests outside the embassy in May, have since been interviewed by a Danish delegation for resettlement.

"They have completed serving their jail sentence and will be transferred to the Semenyih immigration detention centre in a matter of days," added the UNHCR official.

Last month, the group had complained that they were being abused at the Sungai Buloh prison.