June 24, 2019
Says Mahathir, suggests int’l supervision during repatriation
International monitoring bodies must ensure that Rohingya refugees who return to Myanmar are not exposed to any danger, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday.
“The views of the Rohingya must be sought before the repatriation of the refugees as they are living in fear.
“They are scared to return to Rakhine State. The international bodies must monitor and ensure the refugees are treated well and that the situation is safe if they choose to return to Myanmar.
“We hope that once the refugees return, they will not be tortured and imprisoned. Rohingya refugees should be included in consultation plans (to send them back to Myanmar).
“The previous plan (to repatriate the Rohingya refugees) was made without consulting them,” he told the Malaysian media after ending his four-day visit in Bangkok, including attending the 34th Asean Summit.
It was reported that efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar have hit a wall, as no Rohingya has elected to return home due to security fears.
Asked whether he had raised the matter with Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi at the summit, Mahathir replied that she was seated next to him at the summit, as they were seated according to alphabetical order.
“It was Indonesia which constantly spoke about the Rakhine State at the summit and that was the only subject they touched on... I spoke on several issues,” he said.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah told reporters after the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) at the summit that Malaysia wanted a comprehensive plan for the deportation of the Rohingya refugees that would ensure their safety.
He stressed that Malaysia had voiced its opinion on the need for the views of the Rohingya, as well as that of the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) which is doing humanitarian work at Cox’s Bazaar, to be sought before the repatriation of the refugees.
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