Staff Reporter :
Malaysia has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to address the civil war in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to find a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis that affects Bangladesh in many ways.
The Malaysian Foreign Minister said, they will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rakhine State, Bangladesh, as well as in Malaysia.
“The civil war in the Rakhine state needs to be addressed by ASEAN if the long-term status of Rohingyas is to be fully resolved,” said Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah on Friday, the second day of a two-day Asean Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Vietnam.
He said, as the return of Rohingya refugees is uncertain and dangerous, the Myanmar government should first rstore citizenship to the Rohingyas within its borders, estimated to be about one million.
Minister Saifuddin said, Malaysia maintains its position on Myanmar that the perpetrators of the genocide must be brought to justice; repatriation that is voluntary, safe and dignified should happen as quickly as possible through consultation with the Rohingyas.
He said Asean should constructively engage China and Myanmar, together with Bangladesh, according to the statement shared by the Malaysian Foreign Minister on his verified Facebook page.
“This includes solutions for education, livelihood, economic empowerment and recognition of cultural & religious identity,” he said.
“China’s economic and political interest in the Rakhine state and its strong bilateral relations with Myanmar presents an opportunity to influence the latter towards a more creative and comprehensive approach,” he said.
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a repatriation deal on November 23, 2017.
Malaysia has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to address the civil war in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to find a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis that affects Bangladesh in many ways.
The Malaysian Foreign Minister said, they will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rakhine State, Bangladesh, as well as in Malaysia.
“The civil war in the Rakhine state needs to be addressed by ASEAN if the long-term status of Rohingyas is to be fully resolved,” said Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah on Friday, the second day of a two-day Asean Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Vietnam.
He said, as the return of Rohingya refugees is uncertain and dangerous, the Myanmar government should first rstore citizenship to the Rohingyas within its borders, estimated to be about one million.
Minister Saifuddin said, Malaysia maintains its position on Myanmar that the perpetrators of the genocide must be brought to justice; repatriation that is voluntary, safe and dignified should happen as quickly as possible through consultation with the Rohingyas.
He said Asean should constructively engage China and Myanmar, together with Bangladesh, according to the statement shared by the Malaysian Foreign Minister on his verified Facebook page.
“This includes solutions for education, livelihood, economic empowerment and recognition of cultural & religious identity,” he said.
“China’s economic and political interest in the Rakhine state and its strong bilateral relations with Myanmar presents an opportunity to influence the latter towards a more creative and comprehensive approach,” he said.
Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a repatriation deal on November 23, 2017.
