Dewan Rakyat: Pasir Mas, Jelutong MPs clash over Rohingya issue

A contentious debate unfolded in the Dewan Rakyat today as government and opposition MPs clashed over the Rohingya refugee situation during the 2027 Budget discussion. Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) was addressing the budget when RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) intervened, accusing PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (PN-Marang) and former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of previously inviting Rohingya refugees into Malaysia.

Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) attempted to interject, but Rayer rebuked him, asserting that it was not Anwar Ibrahim, the current Prime Minister, who had invited the refugees, but rather the Marang and Pekan MPs (Najib). Fadhli countered by presenting a news report from April 26, 2020, where Anwar defended humanitarian aid for the Rohingya.

Rayer argued that providing humanitarian assistance to the refugees was distinct from facilitating their arrival, maintaining that Malaysia could uphold humanitarian principles while working towards their repatriation. Fadhli then called for stricter measures against refugees who violated the law and suggested establishing controlled refugee settlements, akin to those previously utilized on Pulau Bidong, to better manage the refugee population.

He proposed varying settlement capacities from 10,000 to 20,000 individuals if 200,000 could not be accommodated. Fadhli acknowledged growing public concern over the ongoing influx of refugees while emphasizing the humanitarian aspects of the issue.