Malaysia, partners sending peace mission to Myanmar to help Rohingya refugees
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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) and chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus during a press conference on Aug 12.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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DHAKA - Malaysia and some regional partners will send a joint delegation to Myanmar to push for peace and humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees struggling in Bangladesh, the South-east Asian nation’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Aug 12.
Bangladesh shelters more than one million Rohingya refugees in camps in its south-eastern district of Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee settlement.
Datuk Seri Anwar’s comments came at the start of a three-day visit by Bangladesh’s interim head, Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, to Malaysia.
“To secure peace in Myanmar is of course a great priority, along with immediate humanitarian assistance for the suffering first, the refugees and also the victims of earthquakes,” Mr Anwar told a joint press briefing with Mr Yunus.
Malaysia’s foreign minister will coordinate the Myanmar mission, set for the coming weeks, along with counterparts from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, added Mr Anwar, who is chair of the Asean regional grouping in 2025.
“We are concerned with the burden placed on Bangladesh on having to cater for enormous numbers of Rohingya refugees.”
Escalating conflict and targeted violence against the Rohingya, a mostly Muslim minority in mainly Buddhist Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, have forced about 150,000 to flee to Bangladesh in the past 18 months, the United Nations said.
Malaysia and Bangladesh signed five pacts during Mr Yunus's visit, covering defence cooperation and collaboration in supply and infrastructure of liquefied natural gas, petroleum products and related facilities. REUTERS
