Abdullah: We must be firm in turning back Rohingya
- Published: 27/02/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Countries affected by the influx of Rohingya refugees must be firm in turning them back, says Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"We don't want to be unkind. But the problem has been about people who come without permits"
In an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, Mr Abdullah said Malaysia was faced with a similar problem to Thailand, which has recently come under heavy criticism for its handling of the Rohingya issue.
NOTE: The full text of the interview with Mr Abdhullah is here.
Thai authorities have been accused of abusing Rohingya boat people, tying their hands behind their backs before towing their boats out to sea.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has strongly denied the allegations, saying "there is no reason [for Thai authorities] to abuse human rights in dealing with these people despite the fact that they are illegal migrants".
Mr Abhisit has also said there are criminal gangs involved in illegal trafficking of some Rohingya into Thailand and the Department of Special Investigation is now looking into the matter.
The prime minister has called for regional cooperation in dealing with the Rohingya issue at the Asean summit and also in line with international-level meetings such as the Bali Process in March.
"This is not just Thailand's problem. It's a problem for all the region's countries, whether they are countries of origin, countries of destination or countries of transit," Mr Abhisit said.
Mr Abdullah said he welcomed the Thai suggestion and Malaysia would participate. Malaysia has a similar problem, he said. Most Rohingya arriving on Malaysian shores came from Thailand.
"We feel that they are being pushed onto us instead of Thailand accommodating them somehow. They come to us and when they come to us of course we know they come from Myanmar [Burma]," he said.
But when Malaysia has approached Burma on this issue, Burmese authorities have asked what evidence Malaysia has that they originated from Burma.
Mr Abdullah said some Rohingya refugees tear up their documents when they arrive on Malaysian shores.
"There has to be a lot of understanding on how to control this at the border. We have to be very firm in dealing with this situation. If we are not, then all of us will have a problem," Mr Abdullah said.
"From Thailand they come to us, from us they go to Indonesia. We don't want to be unkind. But the problem has been about people who come without permits.
"If they come as workers with permits which have been approved, then we can regulate them. But the problem is those Rohingya who just turn up. So what do we do with them?"
Premier Abdullah (R) with Post editor-in-chief Pichai.
Asked if he saw a role for international organisations in a regional meeting on the Rohingya issue, Mr Abdullah said: "They are very concerned and at times they are critical of actions taken by governments. But if we cannot be firm we cannot deal with this problem. We have to be firm at all borders. We have to turn them back.
"If they [the organisations] help, we will be very happy," he said.
In a separate exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this was a humanitarian issue and the Asean leaders would be discussing the issue at their meeting in Cha-am this weekend.
With regard to the origins of the Rohingya, Mr Lee said where the people came from could not be a matter of opinion.
"It is a matter of geography. It is not a matter of dispute. It can be ascertained," he said.
"And then we can work out what the conditions are, what needs to be done.
"The leaders are meeting and the leaders will be talking about this."
About the author
- Writer: PICHAI CHUENSUKSAWADI AND PATTNAPONG CHANTRANONTWONG
