KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 ― Putrajaya must extend the same level of support and protection to the Rohingyas as it does to Palestinians and Syrians, DAP’s Charles Santiago said today.

Criticising the government’s “inhumane and atrocious” decision to turn back Rohingyas attempting to land in Malaysia, the Klang lawmaker insisted that the reported human trafficking victims should be accorded refugee status.

“Malaysia's foreign policy must be consistent. And as such, support for Palestine and Syria must also be extended to the Rohingya.

“As Chair of Asean, Malaysia must protect the Rohingya as opposed to sending them back to Burma to face persecution and death,” he said in a statement today.

Over a thousand abandoned illegal immigrants comprising Bangladeshi nationals and ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar landed on Langkawi's shores recently.

Up to 8,000 more are reportedly aboard boats off Malaysia's waters that have been cut off by human traffickers and adrift for at least three days with no food or water on board.

A Malaysian official, however, reportedly said that the boats will be turned away if they are seaworthy.

The Klang MP also said the Rohingya were deemed stateless as they are “refugees fleeing state-engineered violence” which he adds is why it is necessary for Malaysia to help them and not label them as illegal immigrants.

“Malaysia, after being instrumental in bringing Burma into the Asean fold, now says it will send the thousands of Rohingya back as they are illegal immigrants”Santiago said.

News agency AP quoted Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) first admiral Tan Kok Kwee as saying on Tuesday that they will provide provisions to the boats before turning them back, and only rescue those aboard sinking vessels