The prime minister says the move is an initial step towards addressing the long-running Rohingya issue and maintaining public order.
Anwar said this was an initial step towards addressing the Rohingya refugee issue, and would also help preserve public order in Malaysia.
“People say ‘send them back, send them back’. Send them back to where? Myanmar didn’t want to take them,” he said at an afternoon tea event in Simpang Durian here today.
“That’s why good relations with Myanmar matter. Now they’ve agreed to take 5,000 people first.”
Malaysia hosts one of the largest Rohingya populations in the region, with many having fled persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
On Monday, more than 100 Rohingya refugees gathered outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office at Jalan Bukit Petaling in Kuala Lumpur after allegedly being evicted from a settlement in Kuala Muda, Penang.
Police said 113 of them were relocated to three states yesterday after being temporarily housed at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.
Sixty-six were transferred to destinations in Kuala Lumpur, 29 were transferred to Selangor, and 18 to Penang.
Anwar also said Myanmar had agreed to take back about 300,000 Rohingya currently in Bangladesh.
He said the government would continue discussions with Myanmar to find a long-term solution to the refugee issue, which has remained a challenge for several countries in the region.
At the same time, the government would continue to take firm action against anyone who disrupts public order.
He also reminded the Rohingya community to comply with Malaysian laws and respect local communities.
“I told the Rohingya, behave properly. We are prepared to provide places (for them). Do not disrupt local businesses, do not disrupt traffic and the places where they live, otherwise people will become angry,” he said. - FMT
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