Malaysia to engage Myanmar, employ ASEAN on Rohingya crisis

"Through our common effort, we will work to resolve the predicament of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and also here,” says Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia will work together with Bangladesh to resolve the Rohingya crisis, says Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The offices of the foreign ministers of both countries will pursue the matter, he added.

"Through our common effort, we will work to resolve the predicament of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and also here.

"(We will) engage through ASEAN mechanisms with the Myanmar authorities to resolve part of the issue," he said in Putrajaya following bilateral talks involving a Bangladeshi delegation led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday.”

The two premiers had sat for a one-on-one meeting prior to the talks.

At a joint press conference following the talks, Tarique said: I expressed deep concern over the plight of the Rohingya community who have taken refuge in Bangladesh and thank Malaysia for its continued support for their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation.”

Anwar said Malaysia was continuing to use its influence to resolve the crisis and says it is taking steps through ASEAN mechanisms “to engage with the Myanmar authorities to resolve part of the issue”.