PUTRAJAYA, Oct 28 — Malaysia has chosen to deal with the Myanmar refugee issue diplomatically, despite international criticism over the approach, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said diplomacy is needed to find a solution, as years of criticism and condemnation of Myanmar has failed to bring about significant change in the country’s policies.
“When I invited the Myanmar president (Min Aung Hlaing), what was the objective? In my two previous meetings with him, I urged him to moderate his stance. We have been expressing anger and criticising them for 20 or 30 years, but it has had no effect. There has been no change in policy.
“The people in Rakhine, the Rohingya, continue to suffer. Some 200,000 have fled here, placing a burden on us as well. The people, including the Malay community, are becoming increasingly upset over the situation,” he said here today at the Madani Knowledge Event, featuring Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara.
He was explaining Malaysia’s position on refugees from Myanmar, including the Rohingya, and efforts to facilitate their repatriation.
On criticism from human rights groups over the safety of those being repatriated, Anwar said Malaysia called for the refugees’ safety as a key condition in its discussions with Myanmar.
He stressed that Malaysia has never sidelined humanitarian considerations or interfaith understanding in its engagement with Myanmar, and continues to seek Naypyitaw’s cooperation and consideration on the refugee problem.
He also said Myanmar does not recognise ethnic groups like the Rohingya and Rakhine, but is willing to accept their return.
Anwar also lambasted criticism from the international community, especially from the United States and Europe, saying those countries have not helped ease the burden of hosting refugees.
“What have they done? Have they helped? Nothing at all, so it is up to us,” he said.
He said discussions with Myanmar authorities resulted in an agreement for some Myanmar nationals in Malaysia to be repatriated at Naypyitaw’s expense, including by air and sea.
About 10,300 Myanmar nationals have been repatriated, while another 3,000 are expected to be sent home this month, he said.
Anwar called the effort an interim measure for Malaysia to address the refugee issue, while acknowledging it is not enough to resolve the problem.
“Is it enough? No. Does this mean I condone all their wrongdoings? No. But I believe this is an interim measure we can take,” he said.
He added that Malaysia would continue to pursue diplomacy to secure Myanmar’s cooperation, including in efforts to decrease the number of refugees here.
Anwar said repatriating between 4,000 and 5,000 people a month could be a good thing if the effort can be sustained while ensuring refugees’ safety.
