First asylum seekers to be sent to Malaysia by Australia

The Australian Navy on Sunday intercepted a boat of refugees headed for the country, and took them to Christmas Island.

The 54 refugees will be the first sent to Malaysia under a controversial deal signed last week.

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office has criticized the arrangement, saying Malaysia has a much greater challenge than Australia in order to fully utilise the benefits that refugees can bring to destination countries.

The Office also said Australia could provide a much better life for these 800 people than they can expect in Malaysia.