MFA rebuts reports of special Asean task force on Rohingya

More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Rakhine state for Bangladesh since a crackdown on the minority began in August last year. PHOTO: REUTERS

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has rebutted reports that an "Asean foreign ministers special task force" will be going to Myanmar later this month to discuss the quickest way to help Rohingya refugees return home.

"There is no 'special task force'," an MFA spokesman said in response to media queries. "Asean is ready to assist Myanmar to commence the voluntary and safe repatriation of refugees, as soon as possible, pursuant to the Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State between Bangladesh and Myanmar signed in November last year," the spokesman added.

Bernama news agency had on Monday reported Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah saying "efforts to help the community return to their homeland were initiated by the Asean Foreign Ministers Special Task Force led by Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan".

Mr Saifuddin was quoted as saying that among the actions expected to be implemented by the task force was to set up a monitoring team to ensure the safety of the Rohingya community in Myanmar.

Another Bernama report on Tuesday cited Mr Saifuddin as saying Dr Balakrishnan and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai would go to Myanmar at the end of the month to discuss the matter, with repatriation expected to begin early next year.

More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Rakhine state for Bangladesh since a crackdown on the minority began in August last year.

Fellow Asean members and the international community have raised the issue with Myanmar, including when Asean foreign ministers met in New York last month.

Dr Balakrishnan had said a key point was that fellow Asean members "stand ready to help", and that Asean will work with Myanmar to facilitate the safe and dignified repatriation of refugees.

The Rohingya crisis is likely to be discussed at the Asean and East Asia Summits in Singapore next month.

Separately, on Tuesday, Dr Balakrishnan spoke with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over the phone.

The MFA spokesman said Dr Balakrishnan welcomed the visit by US Vice-President Mike Pence to Singapore next month and his attendance at the Asean-US Summit and East Asia Summit. "Both sides also discussed areas of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on international and regional developments."

The US State Department said both ministers "also discussed Asean's central role in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and opportunities for further enhancing bilateral and regional cooperation".

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 25, 2018, with the headline MFA rebuts reports of special Asean task force on Rohingya. Subscribe