59 starving Rohingya found abandoned on island in Satun

 

The Rohingya have been fleeing Myanmar in boats to look for better economic prospects in Malaysia and Indonesia. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: Another group of Rohingya headed to Malaysia have been stopped in Thailand, where authorities found 59 refugees on Koh Dong island in the southern province of Satun, near the Malaysian border yesterday.

Satun governor Ekkarat Leesen said initial investigations indicated they were part of a group of 120 Rohingya who left Myanmar two months ago. They landed on the island about a week ago, Bernama reported.

“We were informed that the Rohingya paid RM5,000 to a syndicate to work in Malaysia … some of them had allegedly left the island and entered Malaysia,” he said.

Ekkarat said the 31 men, 23 women and five children were found starving on the island, which is part of Tarutao National Marine Park.

“They were left there without food or drinks. They looked very weak from hunger and dehydration.”

Local media reported that the authorities were providing food and drinks to the Rohingya on the island. They have also undergone Covid-19 screening.

Deputy police chief Roy Ingkapairote said investigations were under way into the smuggling of the Rohingya. - FMT