Anwar: Dialogue with Myanmar offers best hope for Rohingya solution

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 28 — In an effort to find a solution to the Rohingya refugee crisis, Malaysia has chosen diplomacy as its approach, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced. Despite international criticism of Malaysia's stance on the issue, Anwar emphasized that years of harsh words and condemnations towards Myanmar have proven ineffective in prompting any meaningful policy changes.

"When I invited Myanmar President (Min Aung Hlaing), what was the objective? In my two previous meetings with him, I urged him to moderate his stance. We have been expressing anger and criticising them for 20 or 30 years, but it has had no effect. There has been no change in policy."

Anwar explained that the plight of the Rohingya in Rakhine continues to worsen, with over 200,000 seeking refuge in Malaysia, adding strain to resources and creating frustration among Malaysians, particularly the Malay community. During a 'Majlis Ilmu Madani' program at Kompleks Seri Perdana, Anwar also discussed Malaysia's approach to facilitating the return of refugees to Myanmar.