By Irwan Shafrizan Ismail
SHAH ALAM, April 26 — Malaysians are reminded to not lose their humanity while dealing with the issues of the ethnic Rohingya while facing the Covid-19 pandemic.
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on a Facebook live session yesterday said while he understands the concern of the public, some protection should be given towards those who are oppressed.
“The refugees… we should not sink their boats or let them starve to death. We have to give them protection within our means.
“I hope we do not lose our humanity… (but) we are also facing hardships so there is a limit to how much we can help,” he said when asked on the plight of the Rohingya refugees, including on the question of granting them citizenship.
Anwar stressed that citizenship would not be given but efforts in helping the refugees should be continued within our means.
“Therefore, while I understand the public anxiety, but shouldn’t give them (Rohingya) face but must maintain our sense of humanity.
“If one has been oppressed in their home country by a tyrannical military junta, then we have to give some humanitarian consideration,” he said.
The Rohingya issue has been heavily debated as many of its refugees had recently attempted to enter the country via sea on a crowded vessel.
Malaysia had however denied entry and turn away a boat carrying some 200 Rohingya refugees, as the country is said to have “far exceeded” its capacity to host refugees.
It is reported that the number of Rohingyas in the country is estimated to be around 150,000.
