PAS lawmaker proposes controlled Rohingya settlement model for Malaysia

A PAS Member of Parliament has put forward a proposal to establish controlled settlement centres for Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, citing the model used during the 1978 Vietnamese refugee crisis as a potential framework.

Fadhli, representing his constituency in parliament, argued that structured centres could help mitigate growing public anxiety surrounding the influx of Rohingya into Malaysian communities. The suggestion reflects ongoing parliamentary debate over how Malaysia should manage its significant refugee population.

The proposal seeks to balance humanitarian obligations with domestic concerns about resource allocation and social integration. By implementing a controlled settlement system similar to historical precedents, Fadhli suggested the government could better monitor and manage refugee populations while addressing local community worries.

Malaysia currently hosts one of the world's largest refugee populations, with hundreds of thousands of Rohingya among them. The country has faced mounting pressure to develop comprehensive policies that address both refugee welfare and the concerns of local communities grappling with the scale of displacement.