By: Ashikin
25.4.2020
The issue of Rohingya is not a new for us. Malaysia has helped these ethnic group from various forms of humanities. This week, there is a wide range of people who are uncomfortable with this ethnic.
Earlier reported a trader Rohingya with UNHCR card even though they were illegally dealing.
In the wake of a pandemic, Malaysians are seen to be anxious about predominantly health, safety and employment issues. The recent uproar in social media shows that there are growing concerns over the government’s effort in handling Rohingya refugees in Malaysia.
Just last week, it was reported that Malaysia had no choice but to deny entry of a boat carrying some 200 Rohingya refugees in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 domestically, leaving hundreds stranded at sea. As Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention nor its Protocol, there are hardly any policy or legislative framework to regulate the status and well-being of refugees in the country. Thus, whether the authorities had made the right move in turning away these asylum-seekers remains debatable.
As of February 2020, there are more than 100,000 Rohingyas registered in Malaysia according to UNHCR. It is reported that due to their status, many Rohingya refugees are reluctant to come forward to get tested for Covid-19, even if they display symptoms. In view of this issue, the Ministry of Health should be commended for working closely with UNHCR and other partner NGOs in order to track Covid-19 infections within the Rohingya community.
Therefore, instead of pointing fingers and passing the blame, there must be a global and collective effort to resolve these challenges. Meanwhile, Malaysia must do our best, factoring in our resources and without jeopardising the needs of citizens, to formulate appropriate policies and mechanisms in managing the Rohingya refugee crisis, not just for the sake of safeguarding our country and its people, but for the sake of humanity.
MERHROM’s president asked for help for 200,000 their refugees in Malaysia.
Discussion on ‘Until when Rohingya should be a breakout to continue the survival? Source: Astro Awani (2015)
The interview during the solidarity of the Ummah for Rohingya (2016). Source: KL Broadcast
However, recently the social media organization when it was said that the president of the MERHROM was reported to have submitted the memorandum for the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resources to consider their recommendations.
Among its contents, the people of Rohingya have contributed to the economy and development in Malaysia.
"Significant contributors to the development and the Malaysian economy for 30 years", it is among the contents of the memorandum written by Zafar Ahmad.
Among other content submitted to the Ministry of Human Resource Malaysia are:
The proposed memorandum from this project has turned out to have resulted in various reactions from the netizens which would not agree to the claim.
What do you think? Between his rights and issues, where is the best way to overcome the problem?
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SOURCES:
Rohingya Kebal dengan Kad UNHCR. Retrieved Video from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XjuwbiiaKY
Presiden MERHROM Mohon Bnatuan buat 200,000 pelarian di Malaysia. Retrieved Video from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=315&v=ZaerMGOCl9M&feature=emb_title
Perbincangan mengenai ‘Sampai Bila Rohingya harus menjadi pelarian demi meneruskan kelangsungan hidup’?. Retrieved Video from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj6BHqAZXNM
Ulangsiar Temuramah sewaktu Himpunan Solidariti Ummah Untuk Rohingya pada 5 Disember 2016. Retrieved Video from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7fI3XM2Wds
Intan (2020), Tuntut Hak Sama Rata Kerakyatan, Pendidikan – Etnik Rohingya Makin Melampau?. Retrieved from: https://mv1.cari.com.my/portal.php?mod=view&aid=53900
Anusya Rim (2020), The Rohingya crisis in light of Covid-19. Retrieved from: https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2020/04/23/the-rohingya-crisis-in-light-of-covid-19-anusha-rym/1859591