Foreign Minister says refugees will remain until junta restores democracy and ensures safety for ethnic minority.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Malaysia says it will not force nearly 150,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees in its care to return to Myanmar until the country restores peace and installs a democratically elected government.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan disclosed this while addressing journalists, stressing that the plight of the persecuted Muslim minority has worsened since Myanmar’s military coup in 2021.

“The Rohingyas are not only targeted by the junta but also attacked by armed groups like the Arakan Army, who have committed grave abuses in Rakhine State,” Mohamad said. “Until Myanmar is peaceful and every citizen, including the Rohingya can participate in free and fair elections, their return is not an option.”

The minister’s remarks came in response to Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, who sought Malaysia’s help in handling the deepening refugee crisis.

According to the United Nations, Bangladesh has recorded the largest influx of Rohingya Muslims in 18 months since the 2017 mass exodus, when hundreds of thousands fled ethnic cleansing by Myanmar’s security forces.

Mohamad noted that he had engaged Myanmar’s junta in previous visits and will, alongside foreign ministers of Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, travel to the country on September 19 to assess preparations for polls expected later this year.

While the junta has partially lifted the state of emergency, it has also imposed martial law in 63 areas, raising doubts about the credibility of any proposed election.

The minister stressed the need for Myanmar to abide by ASEAN’s five-point consensus, which includes an extended ceasefire, constructive dialogue, a special envoy, and humanitarian access.

A report on his findings will be tabled at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October.

“The reality is that this crisis cannot be resolved until Myanmar is safe for all and the Rohingya Muslims can live without fear of persecution,” Mohamad said.