Malaysia released Uygurs because they ‘did nothing wrong’, PM Mahathir Mohamad says, in move likely to strain relations with China

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A Uighur man looks on as a truck carrying paramilitary policemen travel along a street during an anti-terrorism oath-taking rally in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:30pm, 15 Oct 2018Updated: 9:49pm, 15 Oct 2018

Malaysia freed 11 ethnic Uygur Muslims who fled to the Southeast Asian nation after a Thai jailbreak last year because they did nothing wrong there, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday.

Reuters, citing the men’s lawyer, reported last week that Malaysia had released the 11 from detention and sent them to Turkey, disregarding China’s request to hand them to Beijing.

“They have done nothing wrong in this country, so they are released,” Mahathir said in brief comments to reporters in parliament, the first from the Malaysian government since their release.

Malaysia’s move was likely to strain ties with China, which have already been tested since Mahathir won a stunning election victory in May and cancelled more than US$20 billion worth of projects awarded to Chinese companies.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He said on Monday his administration freed 11 Uygur Muslims because they did nothing wrong. Photo: AP

China, which had asked for their extradition, said on Friday that it “resolutely” opposed Malaysia’s decision to release the 11 Uygurs and send them to Turkey.