Malaysian FM: Rohingya repatriation must take place as quickly as possible

The Malaysian foreign minister, who is now on a three-day working visit to Bangladesh, said his 'trust deficit' remains among Rohingyas

Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has said his country has been trying its level best to convince Myanmar to facilitate the Rohingya repatriation process with a hope of having a "proper and comprehensive plan" for repatriation by the end of the year.

"We're hoping that before the end of the year, there will be a proper and comprehensive plan for the repatriation," he told reporters at the state guest house Padma following a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday, reports UNB.

The Malaysian foreign minister, who is now on a three-day working visit to Bangladesh, said his a "trust deficit" remains among Rohingyas.

“At the end of the day, it is the Rohingya people that need to be convinced that they should go back,” he said.

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"We both agreed that the repatriation must occur as quickly as possible," he said adding that it is important that the whole process of repatriation, including the planning stage, must involve consulting the Rohingya people.

Responding to a question, Abdullah hoped that Asean's disaster management unit AHA Centre will be able to come up with more comprehensive plan that will also be acceptable to Rohingya people.

"They should come up with more comprehensive plan of action in this regard."

He also expressed his government's gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh for the generosity shown in providing assistance and shelters to Rohingya people.

Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar district.

"We gave much importance to Rohingya issue," said Dr Momen said adding that both the countries agreed that the safe and dignified return of Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhaine state is the only solution to the crisis.

He said Malaysia, as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), is working in favour of Bangladesh to convince Myanmar to take their nationals back.

Major sources from Dhaka Tribune