KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (MAHAR) has urged the the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to expedite the resettlement of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, stressing that the country is only a transit nation and not a permanent resettlement destination.
In a statement, MAHAR said Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and therefore the responsibility for resettling refugees to third countries lies with the UNHCR, whose efforts should be carried out more swiftly and aggressively.
“The fact that some Rohingya refugees have been waiting up to 15 years in Malaysia is clear evidence that this process is far too slow. MAHAR urges UNHCR to accelerate the resettlement process without further delay,” it said.
The humanitarian organisation said it shared the concern expressed by various international Rohingya organisations over the plight of the refugee community in Malaysia, acknowledging the suffering endured by the Rohingya due to the brutality of Myanmar’s military junta.
However, MAHAR said the prolonged presence of more than 200,000 refugees in Malaysia has placed considerable pressure on the country’s economy, public services, community security, and social fabric.
It said many refugees, who have no legal pathway to employment, are compelled to seek livelihoods outside the bounds of the law in order to survive, adding that the burden should not be borne by Malaysia and its people alone.
“The international community and UNHCR must shoulder this responsibility more seriously and effectively,” it said.
MAHAR also stressed that possession of a UNHCR card does not exempt refugees from complying with Malaysian laws, saying all individuals in the country, regardless of status, have an obligation to respect local laws, culture, and societal values.
The organisation said refugees’ basic needs such as shelter, education, healthcare, and regulated employment opportunities during their transit period should be addressed through a structured and comprehensive approach to reduce dependence on welfare assistance.
It also called on the 40 Rohingya organisations that recently issued a joint statement to broaden their humanitarian role by educating refugees on their responsibilities while in Malaysia, promoting respect for local customs, and intensifying international pressure on Myanmar’s military junta to end the persecution of the Rohingya people.
MAHAR President, Jismi Johari, said humanitarian work also involves ensuring the safety of both refugees and host communities, adding that while concerns among Malaysians over public safety are valid, no community should be unfairly generalised.
He said lasting solutions require greater commitment from UNHCR, the international community, and Myanmar, rather than Malaysia alone. – BERNAMA
