SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — The government faces the difficult challenge of balancing law enforcement, public concerns, and humanitarian principles in addressing issues involving the Rohingya community and other refugees.
While enforcement against criminal activities must continue regardless of nationality, Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari emphasised that refugees who are not involved in any offences should not be unfairly treated.
“We have to strike a balance between enforcing the law, addressing the very real concerns and discomfort felt by the public lately, and the humanitarian aspect, so that we are not seen as being cruel towards people who have fled their countries due to conflict and hardship.
"This is the major challenge for the government today, to strike that balance in a way that satisfies all parties while safeguarding our shared humanitarian values," he said during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
The Sungai Tua state assemblyman was responding to Dusun Tua state assemblyman Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz’s query on the state of the Rohingya community in Selangor.
Amirudin added that any foreign national found committing crimes should face legal action, but those who had not broken the law should not be punished solely because of their status.
"If it is a crime, then it is a crime; if foreign nationals are involved, action must be taken against them. Those who are not involved should not be treated as though they have committed offences,” he said.
Similarly, the broader policy on refugees should be determined by the federal government, and Malaysia must decide on its long-term approach to managing the issue.
The Menteri Besar noted that one option would be to place refugees in designated settlements, as practised in some countries, although this would expose the refugees to poor living conditions.
“If we plan to provide them with better living conditions, with better-equipped settlements, this would require a substantial amount of public funds.
“This move, I believe, will be opposed by the public when there are more of those from the lower income groups who need assistance,” Amirudin said.
He stressed that Malaysia should not become a permanent destination for refugees.
"The intention is for Malaysia to serve as a transit point before they are resettled in third countries such as the United States (US), the United Kingdom, and other developed nations.
“But unfortunately, with the views held by leaders such as Donald Trump today, I do not think the US will readily accept refugees from countries such as Myanmar or elsewhere.
"That is the dilemma we are facing. At the same time, we must not lose our sense of humanity simply because of our differences with those involved," Amirudin said.
