Rohingya crisis requires concrete action from Myanmar, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia cannot be expected to shoulder the Rohingya refugee crisis alone, with Myanmar urged to take concrete action to address its root causes and facilitate the safe return of displaced communities.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said a lasting solution required Myanmar’s commitment, alongside continued support from Asean and the international community.

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“I am of the view that the responsibility for resolving the Rohingya issue should not be borne by Malaysia alone.

“A lasting solution requires commitment and concrete action by Myanmar to address the root causes of the crisis, accompanied by continued support from Asean and the international community,” he said.

He was responding in a written parliamentary reply dated Oct 20 to Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (Jempol), who asked about diplomatic guarantees for the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees and Asean’s efforts to prevent the crisis from recurring.

Mohamad said Malaysia continued to pursue bilateral, regional and international diplomatic engagements to establish conditions that would allow Rohingya refugees to return to Myanmar safely and sustainably.

“The issue of Rohingya repatriation can only be resolved by addressing the root causes of the crisis in Myanmar,” he said.

He said bilateral engagements with Myanmar emphasised guarantees of rights, protection and equal opportunities to enable returning Rohingya communities to rebuild their lives without discrimination or exclusion.

At the regional level, Mohamad said Asean remained committed to its Five-Point Consensus (5PC) as the principal framework for addressing Myanmar’s political and humanitarian crisis.

He said efforts continued to focus on ending violence, expanding humanitarian access without discrimination and promoting inclusive dialogue among Myanmar’s stakeholders.

The Asean chair’s special envoy on Myanmar was also pursuing meaningful implementation of the consensus to sustain regional diplomatic efforts initiated in 2021.

“As a next step, Asean is also identifying additional initiatives to complement existing efforts, with the objective of securing Myanmar’s acceptance and cooperation in restoring peace and stability in the country,” he said.

On humanitarian assistance, Mohamad said Malaysia supported the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), which coordinated aid for communities affected by the conflict.

He said humanitarian assistance was delivered in cooperation with relevant parties in Myanmar, including through cross-border arrangements where necessary.

Asean was also working with the United Nations and other international partners to expand humanitarian assistance and ensure that aid reached affected communities.

Mohamad reaffirmed that Malaysia would continue its diplomatic and humanitarian cooperation to support a sustainable resolution to the crisis.