Kuala lumpur: Bangladesh is seeking Malaysia’s influence, particularly its role as ASEAN Chair, to rally international efforts to address the prolonged Rohingya refugee crisis in the country. Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus highlighted Malaysia’s unique position due to its experience in hosting Rohingya refugees and its leadership in ASEAN as crucial for pushing a comprehensive regional solution.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof Yunus emphasized the urgency of Malaysia’s involvement, stating, “We are hoping that Malaysia will put its influence in the whole negotiation to make sure that we can overcome this problem.” His comments came during a recent interview with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) before concluding his official visit to Kuala Lumpur.
Prof Yunus also noted the deepening of the refugee crisis due to ongoing fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine state between the Arakan Army and government forces, resulting in fresh waves of Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh. In the past 18 months alone, 150,000 new Rohingyas have arrived, adding to the 1.2 million already in the country. The situation has been exacerbated by the US cutting off funds for refugee maintenance, posing a significant challenge for Bangladesh.
To address the crisis, three international conferences on the Rohingya will be held in the coming months. The first is scheduled in Cox’s Bazar at the end of this month, coinciding with the eighth anniversary of Bangladesh’s responsibility for hosting Rohingya refugees. The second meeting will occur on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September, and the third is planned for year-end in Doha, Qatar.
Efforts for repatriation have stalled, further complicated by the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar since 2021. The humanitarian crisis affects not only Bangladesh but also several ASEAN member states, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Despite not being a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, Malaysia continues to temporarily host nearly 150,000 Rohingya refugees on a humanitarian basis.
The Rohingya crisis originated in 2017 following a military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, leading to a mass exodus of Rohingya into Bangladesh.