PUTRAJAYA, Oct 28 — Malaysia has opted for diplomacy in dealing with the refugee issue involving Myanmar, despite facing international criticism over the government’s approach to resolving the matter, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the approach was necessary to seek a solution after years of criticism and condemnation directed at Myanmar had failed to bring about any significant change in the country’s policies.
“When I invited 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
Anwar was speaking at the ‘Majlis Ilmu Madani’ programme at Kompleks Seri Perdana here today, featuring prominent Indonesian preacher Ustaz Dr Abdul Somad Batubara as a guest.
He was explaining Malaysia’s position on refugees from Myanmar, including the Rohingya, and efforts to facilitate their return to their country of origin. — Bernama
