As the Asean member country with the most number of Myanmar refugees, particularly from the Rohingya ethnic group, Malaysia will use its Asean chairmanship next year to address the issue, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The Foreign Minister said that Malaysia will continue highlighting the plight of these refugees and to support a more pragmatic regional response.

“As the Chair of Asean in 2025, Malaysia has the responsibility to lead Asean’s efforts in addressing the crisis in Myanmar.

“This effort will continue to be based on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), as agreed upon by Asean leaders in April 2021,” he said in a written response to Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN Tumpat).

He added that humanitarian assistance for the Myanmar people will continue to be emphasised and prioritised without discrimination.

He added that Malaysia remains committed to pursuing efforts for a peaceful resolution in Myanmar, and will engage with Myanmar stakeholders for inclusive political dialogue aimed at achieving a peaceful and sustainable resolution.

He also said that the third country resettlement process by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UNHCR is an important mechanism for refugees to resettle.

“As of Aug 31, 2024, the IOM successfully resettled 4,774 refugees to third countries.

“Of this number, 3,384 individuals, or 70.9%, were Myanmar refugees resettled to the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, Japan, South Korea, Great Britain, Norway, and the Philippines,” he said.

Mumtaz had asked about Malaysia’s plans as Asean Chair next year about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, including considerations to relocate Myanmar refugees to designated islands funded by third countries, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Asean. According to a report by Reuters, Malaysia currently does not have a system to process applications for asylum, and most Rohingya refugees are considered undocumented migrants.

This meant that many risk arrest as illegal migrants and are not allowed to work legitimately.

-In Association with ANN