Isu pelarian Myanmar: Kerajaan utamakan keselamatan, kepentingan rakyat

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the issue of Myanmar refugees is a legacy of decades that has put pressure on the country from perspectives of safety, social and management. Kuala Lumpur: The government will ensure efforts to handle the Myanmar refugee issue are carried out with a focus on the safety and interests of Malaysian citizens, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that commitment is the foundation in the government's efforts to comprehensively resolve the matter including through cooperation with Myanmar for voluntary and controlled return of refugees. Anwar said the government also takes a more organized step in handling the issue through enforcement, coordination among agencies and cooperation with the country of origin.

"The Myanmar refugee issue is not a new problem, rather a legacy of decades that has put pressure on the nation from perspectives of safety, social and management," he said via a posting on Facebook today. "InshaAllah, I will ensure this issue is comprehensively handled, with safety and interests of Malaysian citizens given priority, and its implementation based on law and humanity."

He said, after consultations with Myanmar, 5,000 refugees will be returned voluntarily and controlled, with 1,476 of them starting the first phase today after passing through a process approved by both nations.