Meanwhile, Hishammuddin defended the refugee swap deal between Malaysia and Australia, saying it could become a model for cross-border cooperation in dealing with human trafficking and terrorism.

The minister said whichever way the issue is viewed, Malaysia will benefit from the deal as the country will send over 4,000 illegal immigrants to Australia, who in turn will only send over 800 refugees.

He noted that both the Malaysian and Australian governments agreed to the swap deal as it is one way to take the fight to human traffickers and terrorists, who constantly take advantage of migrants.

"If this is done well without polemics and it becoming politicised, this would be a very good model for other hotspot areas in the world," he said.

Full story: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/167782

Camera: Amir Abdullah

Editing: Tan Jiun Wuu