Malaysia, as the ASEAN member state hosting the largest number of Myanmar refugees, particularly from the Rohingya ethnic group, has pledged to use its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship to address the escalating refugee crisis, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
In a written response to Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat) in Parliament, Mohamad Hasan outlined Malaysia’s plans to lead ASEAN’s efforts in tackling the Myanmar crisis, reaffirming the country’s commitment to the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) agreed upon by ASEAN leaders in April 2021.
“As the Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia has the responsibility to lead ASEAN’s efforts in addressing the crisis in Myanmar,” he said. “This effort will continue to be based on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), as agreed upon by ASEAN leaders in April 2021.”
The minister stressed the importance of providing non-discriminatory humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar and reaffirmed Malaysia’s dedication to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
He said Malaysia would engage with stakeholders in Myanmar to promote inclusive political dialogue aimed at achieving a sustainable and peaceful resolution.
He also highlighted the significance of the third-country resettlement process facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“As of Aug 31, 2024, the IOM successfully resettled 4,774 refugees to third countries,” Mohamad Hasan noted. “Of this number, 3,384 individuals, or 70.9%, were Myanmar refugees resettled to the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, Japan, South Korea, Great Britain, Norway, and the Philippines.”
The response came after Mumtaz questioned Malaysia’s plans as the upcoming ASEAN Chair to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
She also raised the possibility of relocating refugees to designated islands funded by third countries, UNHCR, and ASEAN.
According to a Reuters report, Malaysia currently lacks a formal system to process asylum applications, leaving most Rohingya refugees classified as undocumented migrants.
This status exposes them to risks of arrest as illegal migrants and prohibits them from working legally.
The plight of the Rohingya and other Myanmar refugees remains a pressing concern in the region. With Malaysia at the helm of ASEAN in 2025, the international community will be watching closely to see how it navigates the complexities of the Myanmar crisis and addresses the humanitarian challenges facing refugees.
