Politics · Malaysia Bureau
PAS MP urges balanced approach to Rohingya refugee crisis
A PAS lawmaker has called for a more compassionate policy stance toward Rohingya refugees, even as pressure mounts for stricter border controls. Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman said Malaysia must balance humanitarian concerns with security and resource management.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUALA LUMPUR — A member of parliament from the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) has urged the government to adopt a more humane approach in handling the Rohingya refugee situation, amid growing calls from various quarters for tighter immigration controls.
Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman said the country must strike a careful equilibrium between upholding humanitarian values and addressing legitimate concerns about national security and the strain on public services and resources.
His comments come as Malaysia grapples with the ongoing refugee crisis, with more than 180,000 Rohingya currently residing in the country. The issue has become increasingly contentious, with different stakeholders advocating divergent approaches to the influx.
The PAS politician's remarks reflect broader tensions within Malaysian society regarding immigration policy, where officials must weigh international obligations and moral considerations against domestic pressures and resource constraints.
Malaysia has historically been a transit point and temporary refuge for Rohingya fleeing persecution in Myanmar, though the government has expressed concerns about the long-term implications of hosting such large populations without international burden-sharing arrangements.