Anwar to invite Myanmar president to expedite Rohingya repatriation

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he will invite Myanmar president Min Aung Hlaing for an official visit to Malaysia in a bid to expedite the repatriation of some 200,000 Rohingya refugees in the country.

Anwar said the diplomatic move was aimed at finding a long-term solution to the Rohingya refugee issue, which has increasingly caused concern and anger among the local community.

He said that in earlier negotiations, the Myanmar government had agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya refugees in stages, with the first group of 1,500 people to be repatriated within the next two weeks.

“I am inviting him and I want to make it clear that we can be friends, we can trade … but Myanmar must accept (its refugees) back.

“If they cannot take back 100,000 or 200,000 at once, then take them back in stages,” he said on the Sembang Oh Yeah podcast earlier today.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said Malaysia was prepared to bear logistical costs such as clothing, food and boat fares for the repatriation process.

He said this would be more cost-effective than bearing the cost of managing refugees at detention depots, which ranges from RM50 to RM200 per person a day.

Anwar also said the influx of refugees was linked to decisions made by previous governments, including the organisation of mass gatherings to welcome their arrival.

“Others brought them here, but I’m the one getting the blame. Now that they have become a burden, we are looking for a diplomatic way forward,” he said.

In July, Anwar said Myanmar had agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya refugees currently in Malaysia following diplomatic negotiations between the two countries.

He said the agreement was a first step towards addressing the Rohingya refugee issue, while also helping to preserve public order in Malaysia.

Malaysia hosts one of the largest Rohingya populations in the region, with many having fled persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

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