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Indonesian refugees face colder reception

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Malaysian marine police yesterday stepped up efforts to intercept refugees from Indonesia's economic crisis amid warnings that tougher action awaits them on land.

Police vessels ventured further into the Strait of Malacca, which separates Indonesia and Malaysia.

Marine police commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner Abdul Malek Hamid, said the unit's craft, which had been operating off the coastline, were now patrolling international waters.

Their aim is to turn back boats carrying Malaysian-bound Indonesians before they can reach shore.

Police say operators of many of the boats have sophisticated navigation equipment and a knowledge of Malaysian waters, making them an elusive foe.

The Deputy Home Minister, Tajol Rosli Ghazali, meanwhile said that security would be tightened at detention camps and illegal immigrants would now be treated 'like criminals'.

The move followed the bloody clash between illegal immigrants resisting repatriation and police at the Semenyih camp near Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Eight Indonesians and a member of an anti-riot unit were killed.

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