The Rohingya Issue: Justice for Malaysia and Bangladesh

More than 260 Rohingya refugees arrived in Malaysia by boat on 8 June 2020 

(Source: Friends of Immigration Facebook)

Many years ago, my aunt used to tell the whole world that my uncle (her brother) did not care for his aging father. She also kept telling me that she was a very filial daughter as she always bought lots of her father's favorite foods for him each time she visited him. In my heart, I was saying, "If you feel that uncle does not care for grandfather, why don't you let grandfather stay with you?" When my mom asked her this question, she started giving all sorts of lame excuses for herself. I used to visit my uncle during the school holidays and I would not deny the fact that he has done his best to look after his father even though he was a poor man. Since there were only two rooms in his flat, he had no choice but to let his father sleep in the living room. However, my grandfather has never gone hungry and my uncle's wife always ensured that he took his bath and changed his clothes. 

Why am I telling this story? Because there are many criticisms of Malaysia and Bangladesh for not doing enough to help the Rohingya refugees from people who are doing nothing to help them and these people keep reminding me of my aunt. Recently, there have been many online articles about Rohingya boats being turned away as though it was Malaysia's fault and written in such a way that Malaysia was to be blamed for those who perished at sea. But what about the half a million Rohingya refugees living in Malaysia now? As of July 2020, there are 177,920 Rohingyas registered with UNHCR in Malaysia and it is estimated that the undocumented Rohingyas are twice this number. Given the the large population of Rohingyas working and residing in Malaysia, is it fair to condemn Malaysia for turning away Rohingya boats that tried to sneak into the country illegally in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic? Surely, Malaysia has done more than enough for them all these years. How many countries in this world can accept so many Rohingya refugees? The answer is - only Malaysia and Bangladesh. However, even Bangladesh is criticized for its overcrowded refugee camps just because it is kind enough to give the Rohingyas a place they can call home at the expense of its tourism industry. 

I do not start this blog to write about the Rohingyas as I am not interested to know what they have been doing in Malaysia even though I know that they have been sneaking into the country illegally for years. It seems that everything has been going well for them all these years as they have no problem sneaking into Malaysia by sea, via Thailand, and through the Rat Lanes after disembarking in Indonesia. Once they have arrived in Malaysia, they could easily join the locals, find a job and start a new life. Many of them have started their own business and are living comfortably even though they do not have any documents. The clever ones would marry any grandmother or great-grandmother who comes along in order to get their PR. Prior to the Movement Control Order (MCO), there was no issue about the Rohingyas being left to die at sea because Malaysia was kind enough to allow all the Rohingya boats to disembark. However, since the MCO, the issue about the Rohingyas being left to die at sea keeps recurring so frequently that I am really tired of reading this kind of articles online. That is why I am writing this article today - to seek justice for Malaysia and Bangladesh. 

So what is the problem with the Rohingyas now? They have nowhere to go because Malaysia cannot afford to take any more Rohingya refugees due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and a struggling economy. Because of this, Malaysia is criticised for sending them back to sea. Why only Malaysia? Why not Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, China, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Korea or Japan? Since Malaysia is already saturated with the Rohingya refugees, perhaps it's time the other countries do their part to help them. In a way, those who criticize Malaysia for turning the Rohingya boats away are also encouraging the illegal smuggling of refugees thus putting their lives at risk. Anyone in their right senses would not encourage the ruthless human traffickers who completely disregard human life to prey on the Rohingyas and smuggle them from Bangladesh and Myanmar into Malaysia for monetary gain. How many of them would perish at sea during the journey? What would happen if their boats capsize? Blame Malaysia again? By turning their boats away, Malaysia is sending a message to the Rohingyas that they are not welcome here and they would not risk their lives to come here again knowing that they would be rejected. Malaysia did the right thing by giving them a very clear warning that no more Rohingya boats would be allowed to disembark. 

On 25 June 2020, when 100 Rohingya refugees were rescued by Indonesian fisherman in Aceh, and again on 7 September 2020, when nearly 300 Rohingya came ashore in Aceh, the Indonesian community was praised for rescuing them. What about Malaysia who has been taking in countless Rohingya refugees throughout the years? I am sure Malaysia also deserves to be praised too. Let us praise Malaysia for its generosity, compassion, and kindness for allowing half a million Rohingyas to make their homes in this country. Malaysia has already done a lot for the Rohingyas and it is unfair to force it to take in all the Rohingyas from the refugee camps in Bangladesh. Why did I say 'all the refugees'? Moving around freely in Malaysia is certainly better than living in the refugees camps in Bangladesh! It should be noted that once Malaysia has given the green light, not only the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh but also those from Myanmar would rush to Malaysia because it is their favored destination - a safe haven for Rohingyas. The Indonesian authorities need not worry about the Rohingya refugees in Aceh because they will try to sneak into Malaysia. Even their own people are sneaking into Malaysia almost every day and the Rohingyas can easily join them. According to Chris Lewa of the Arakan Project, although the Rohingyas were grateful to Indonesia for saving their lives, they did not intend to stay there. When he visited them a few days after they were rescued from the sea, they were already inquiring how they could get to Malaysia. (Please read Rohingya refugees vanish from Indonesia). Similarly, the Rohingyas would not stay long in Thailand even if they manage to get there as their ultimate destination is Malaysia. Thus, as the Rohingya boats keep sailing to Southeast Asia, Malaysia is their only victim and if they are encouraged to do so and Malaysia is forced to accept them, the entire Cox's Bazar as well as the refugee camps in Myanmar would be moved to Malaysia in no time. Is this fair for Malaysia? 

As what Confucius says, "Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude" but to repay kindness with evil is a gross injustice. How do the Rohingyas repay Malaysia's kindness? Do not be deceived by Rohingya women who arrive in Malaysia crying with a baby on their arm as they can easily turn into the masterminds of robbery gangs. Earlier this month, a Rohingya woman, Norjahan, and her accomplices, known as the blue Alza robbery gang, were arrested by the police for being involved in a series of robberies and burglaries. Among the crimes committed by the Rohingyas in Malaysia include Three ethnic Rohingya arrested for housebreaking; Seven Myanmar Nationals nabbed in Kuantan for house break-in cases; Cops arrest two Rohingya men over house break-ins in Kulai; Cops arrest five UNHCR cardholders suspected of being involved in house break-ins in Ampang; Five Rohingyas detained in connection with multi-state crime spree; Cops nab Myanmar man, woman over Grab driver’s murder; Rohingya woman stabbed to death by her husband; Rohingya teen charged with murdering step-daughter; and Rohingya man charged with raping underage girl. It seems that the Rohingyas are very professional at house break-ins, rape, and murder. If they could kill 99 Hindu villagers in Rakhine State in one or two massacres, murdering a Grab driver is nothing at all. But what can we expect from people who can even murder their own family members?  Crimes in the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar are rampant and, needless to say, bringing the Rohingyas here would also mean bringing their crimes into this country. 

Norjahan, the mastermind of blue Alza robbery gang 

(Source: Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia)

According to many online articles, the Rohingyas are the most persecuted minority in the world but is that the entire truth? What did they do in Myanmar before they fled to Bangladesh? Do you know that this most persecuted minority actually burned down a monastery, a school, 37 houses and decapitated all the Buddha statues in the village of Nantthataung? Please also read Myanmar Rohingya militants massacred Hindus, says Amnesty; At least 71 killed in Myanmar as Rohingya insurgents stage major attack; and Rohingya insurgents attack police in western Myanmar, wounding six: state TV. What are they doing in Cox's Bazar's refugee camps now? Please read some of their latest cases dated this year @ Refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar: Rohingyas tangled up in crimes; Killing of Rohingya robbers sparks concerns in Bangladesh; Bangladeshi Forces Gun Down 8 Rohingya Criminal Suspects near Refugee Camps; and Several killed in 'gang war' at Rohingya camps in Bangladesh. To understand more about the Rohingyas, please read Facts that the world needs to know about Rohingya.

Needless to say, hosting more than 1 million Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar is a dangerous task for Bangladesh. Cox's Bazar, well-known for its beautiful beaches and coastal town, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Bangladesh. However, the Rohingyas, with their crimes of stealing, robbery, extortion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, rape, and murder have caused a decline in the revenue of its tourism industry. But what is even worse is that Bangladesh is often criticised for its overcrowded refugee camps and landslides that put the lives of the Rohingyas at risk. It should be noted that Bangladesh is not a rich country as jobs are scarce and millions of Bangladeshis have come to Malaysia to work. Poverty and homelessness are prevalent and many Bangladeshis are living in mud houses and slums.  Given such circumstances, one cannot deny the fact that the Bangladesh Government has been extremely generous to the Rohingyas and has done its best to accommodate them. The refugees camps are overcrowded because the Rohingyas are breeding too fast despite the unfavorable circumstances that they are in and it is unfair to blame Bangladesh for that. 

To reduce overcrowding in Cox's Bazar's refugee camps, Bangladesh has spent US$280 million to build quality houses, shops, schools, hospitals, mosques, roads, playgrounds, and protection embankments on Bhasan Char Island so that the Rohingyas can live more comfortably. Given the fact that 5 million Bangladeshis are homeless and three quarters of its population live in mud houses, US$280 million is a lot of money to spend on the Rohingyas. However, Bangladesh's plans to relocate 100,000 Rohingya refugees to the modern township on Bhasan Char is again criticized because it is a floating silt island. But what about the famous floating silt island, Koh Panyee, in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand? Its residents have no problems living there and they are also very proud of this beautiful tourist destination. The floating football field built by the children of this island who later became successful football players is clearly a reminder that "nothing is impossible to a willing heart" (John Heywood). If so many families can live happily on this floating silt island in Thailand, how come the Rohingyas cannot move to Bhasan Char? Is it because of their drug smuggling business? The relocation of Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char would mean that they cannot smuggle drugs into Bangladesh anymore. Perhaps those who criticize Bangladesh for its overcrowded refugee camps and floating silt Bhasan Char Island should consider sending planes to Bangladesh to fetch the Rohingyas and take them to their own country. And don't forget to send some planes to Malaysia too as there are nearly half a million Rohingya refugees residing here! 

Forcing Malaysia to accept all Rohingya boats and forcing Bangladesh to make the refugee camps more comfortable for the Rohingyas cannot solve the refugee problems. Malaysia and Bangladesh are not affluent countries and it is a great injustice to put the burden of Rohingya refugees on them. The Rohingya problem is not solely the problem of Malaysia and Bangladesh. Taking in the Rohingyas out of kindness and sympathy does not mean that they have assumed responsibility for the livelihood of these refugees. The burden of Rohingya refugees should be shared by the whole world. If every country in this world could take in 10,000 Rohingya refugees, then there shouldn't be any problems at all. If traveling by sea is too dangerous for the Rohingyas, then sending a plane to fetch them is the best solution! Malaysia and Bangladesh have done their part and now it is the turn of the other countries to help the Rohingyas. How long are they going to remain in the refugee camps in Bangladesh? How long are they going to stay in Malaysia and for how many generations? Looks like they are not going anywhere because it seems that no one wants them. If the Rohingyas really have nowhere to go, the best thing for them to do is to return to Myanmar since Myanmar is ready to accept them. Perhaps Malaysia should consider placing all the Rohingya refugees in camps just like what Bangladesh is doing - this is one way to stop them from sneaking into this country. 

You may also like to read There Is Gold Everywhere in Malaysia, Should the illegal entry of the Rohingyas into Malaysia be encouraged? and ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS A HUGE THREAT TO MALAYSIA'S CORONAVIRUS WAR. To view the content page of this blog, please click here.