Malaysia concerned with Bangladesh’s burden to cater Rohingyas, says PM Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian premier says securing peace in Myanmar is a “great priority”

Malaysia has expressed worries over the strain on Bangladesh from sheltering more than a million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar’s Rakhine state, calling the situation “concerning” alongside broader regional issues.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this in Putrajaya on Tuesday during a joint press conference with visiting Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported.

“On the regional issues, of course, we are concerned with the burden placed on Bangladesh on having to cater for enormous numbers of Rohingya,” he was quoted as saying.

The Malaysian premier said securing peace in Myanmar is a great priority, alongside immediate humanitarian assistance for the suffering first, the refugees, and also the victims of earthquakes.

The latest influx began on Aug 25, 2017, when a military crackdown in Rakhine sent 750,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, joining 400,000 already there. Myanmar’s government under Aung San Suu Kyi agreed later that year to take them back, signing a repatriation deal with Dhaka.

Attempts in 2019 to return refugees failed amid Rohingya mistrust of Myanmar’s promises. The COVID-19 pandemic further slowed momentum, and a 2021 military coup dealt another blow. Chinese-brokered efforts collapsed as fighting escalated between the military and ethnic armed groups, notably the Arakan Army, which now controls key border areas.

During a March visit to Cox’s Bazar, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged continued repatriation efforts. In April, Myanmar told Dhaka’s envoy it had verified 180,000 names from a list of 800,000 for return, with 70,000 more under final review, and pledged to complete the rest. The plan stalled as conflict intensified in Rakhine, triggering new refugee flows.

Anwar stressed the need for peace in Myanmar and urgent humanitarian aid for refugees and disaster-hit communities. He said Malaysia’s foreign minister will visit Myanmar soon with counterparts from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand to push for a peaceful resolution to ethnic persecution.

Praising Bangladesh’s diplomatic initiatives, Anwar reaffirmed Dhaka’s status as a key partner, citing the role of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia’s development. He announced that Malaysia will introduce multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers, enabling family visits and greater job security.

Calling Yunus a “great friend,” Anwar lauded his contributions to peace, microfinance, and education, including at Malaysia’s Albukhary International University. He said Malaysia was among the first official delegations to visit Dhaka to show solidarity, and hoped Bangladesh would secure peace and development for its people.