Priotise health of Malaysians during MCO: Rohingya matters should not burden Malaysia



As the world comes under siege from Covid-19, and Malaysia has acted to execute a Movement Control Order (MCO), the government and rakyat are focused on fighting the coronavirus. It is incumbent on the government to prioritise the health, security and livelihoods of the public. Under such extraordinary circumstances, the issue of Rohingyas should not pose any additional problems to Malaysia, much less become a new burden for the country to address.   

The Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Malaysian Air Force must be lauded for successfully intercepting the attempted smuggling of 200 Rohingyas by boat into Langkawi on 17 April 2020. This is a prudent and decisive decision and in compliance with international law.

Malaysia has fulfilled our international obligations. Maritime enforcement agencies had also distributed food to these Rohingyas who intended to enter the country illegally, and also escorted their vessel out of Malaysian waters.

Unfortunately, there permeates some locally-based organisations and politicians who are taking advantage of the Rohingya issue to slam and discredit the government. In fact, the Rohingya issue is not solely a Malaysian issue and cannot be solved by Malaysia alone, but must be dealt with via international cooperation by ASEAN and the United Nations.

The Malaysian government has consistently been concerned about the plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar and has provided massive assistance. However, in view of the current pandemic situation, the government must give priority towards protecting the health, security and livelihoods of the rakyat. The government must also prioritise anti-contagion works. It thus acted correctly to deny two vessels full of Rohingyas from landing in Malaysia, lest more problems are created, thereby exerting more pressure on our medical system which is fully concentrated towards overcoming the deadly virus.

ASEAN and the United Nations are called upon to undertake their role in solving the dilemma faced by the Rohingyas in Myanmar, besides resolving all long-standing issues involving other refugees.


Datuk Tan Teik Cheng
MCA Vice President

-MCA online-