Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to take the issue of Rohingya repatriation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a bid to secure a prompt resolution to the ongoing crisis. Yunus made this request during a joint press conference with Anwar in Dhaka, following a bilateral meeting between the two leaders.
During the press interaction, Professor Yunus emphasized the urgency of addressing the plight of the Rohingya, who have been forcibly displaced from Myanmar. He explained that the discussion between the two leaders focused on the "safe repatriation" of Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar, a process that has faced significant obstacles over the years. Yunus stressed that the prolonged nature of the crisis demands immediate attention from ASEAN, which could play a key role in facilitating a solution.
"We discussed the issue of safe repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to Myanmar, and we urged Prime Minister Anwar to raise the Rohingya repatriation matter at the ASEAN forum," Yunus said. "We hope that with ASEAN's involvement, this long-standing crisis can be resolved as quickly as possible."
The Malaysian Prime Minister, who arrived in Dhaka around 2:00 pm for a short visit, was expected to depart later in the evening. The visit comes amid growing international concern over the continued suffering of the Rohingya people, many of whom are living in refugee camps in Bangladesh after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar.
The Rohingya crisis has remained unresolved for years, despite numerous international calls for a solution. Malaysia, which has been vocal about the issue, has repeatedly urged ASEAN to take a stronger stance on the matter.
