Tough to repatriate Rohingya refugees or resettle them in third countries, says PM

PETALING JAYA: Efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar or resettle them in a third country have so far met a dead end, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said it was a complex humanitarian matter.

“We can talk about sending them back, but to where? We have problems with the Myanmar government, which is obstructing the (repatriation) process,” he told reporters in Sentul after Friday prayers, Bernama reported.

Anwar said he raised two requests in his talks with Myanmar’s leaders, the first being that the aid Malaysia provides to Myanmar must be guaranteed to benefit everyone, which was agreed to.

“Secondly, stop the oppression and crimes against the people in Rakhine State and across Myanmar, whether Muslim or non-Muslim,” he said.

He also reminded Malaysians to uphold humanitarian values and not to take action against the Rohingya people on their own, but to leave matters to the authorities.

However, he said, the Rohingya refugees in Malaysia must comply with local laws or face enforcement action.

He said although Malaysia takes a humanitarian view of matters, the refugees remain subject to the country’s laws, including rules on premises and business operations.

“My advice to Myanmar nationals, particularly the Rohingya, is that they must also comply with our regulations. Their buildings and businesses must adhere to the rules. If they do not, we will have no choice but to take action,” he said.

Anwar said the Cabinet had discussed how to enforce the law on the Rohingya refugees, and that home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail would ensure that all actions taken are consistent with the law.

Separately, Perak police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin also advised the public not to take action against the Rohingya themselves, in response to calls on social media to capture Rohingya people in the state.

He said the public should report all misconduct to the authorities, who would take action based on the law.

Asked to comment on news that the Manjung district has the largest Rohingya settlement in Perak, Alwi said police would discuss the matter with the state government and regularly monitor the refugees, most of whom have United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards.