KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 29): Continued engagement with Myanmar is necessary to find a solution to the decades-old refugee issue which has become increasingly complex, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said diplomatic engagement and negotiations remain important in addressing the situation particularly as the number of refugees had increased over the years.

“You see, the problem in Myanmar, I believe that we need to continue to engage. Because the problem has been there for decades. Not resolved. Things are getting worse. The number of refugees has increased,” he told reporters after officiating the launch of Hari Ikhtisas Malaysia here on Tuesday.

At the same time, he said the refugee situation could not be addressed merely by expecting host countries to continue accommodating increasing numbers without efforts to find a longer-term solution.

Anwar said Malaysia would therefore continue using diplomatic channels to discuss the parameters for resolving the matter with Myanmar.

He also rejected suggestions that Malaysia’s approach is simply to send refugees back, stressing that negotiations remain central to the process.

“It’s not true to say, just push them back. No, it’s not true. We, of course, negotiate. We will continue to negotiate and see the perimeters, how to resolve this?” he said.

Anwar said the initiative was aimed at finding a solution through discussions with the relevant authorities, while taking into consideration the concerns surrounding those affected.

However, Anwar said any arrangement involving the return of refugees must also take into account their protection and the facilities to be provided to them.

He said decisions on the matter needed to be discussed and deliberated between the Malaysian government and the authorities in Myanmar rather than simply calling for refugees to be sent back.

“And even when they agreed to bring back some of these refugees, of course, we have to make sure that they are protected and whatever facilities to be accorded,” he said.

“Our position is to protect their welfare concerns, human rights concerns, but to just condemn us for taking this initiative, I don’t think it’s fair. We are trying to find an amicable resolution to this issue,” he added.

Read also:
Malaysia sends home 1,476 Myanmar detainees in first phase of repatriation programme

Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee