The increasing number of refugees in Malaysia is an alarming sign of a crisis in the making. Because of the record number of refugees, a country like Pakistan faced economic strain and had to borrow from different sources, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Now Pakistan has become so weak that its citizens are forced to work in other countries to support their families and the country’s battered economy. Pakistanis living abroad cannot easily find employment. The Malaysian government has repeatedly urged the organizations and NGOs working for the welfare of refugees to resettle these refugees in a third country as soon as possible. However, the number of refugees in Malaysia is increasing at an alarming rate because of the slow process of resettlement of refugees by these institutions. The Thailand government has already set a time frame for refugees that if they are not resettled in any third country within six years, the Thai government will either keep them in a detention centres or deport them. For this specific reason , the process of resettlement of refugees from Thailand is moving fast . The Thai government does not compromise on this matter. Every day, illegal migrants enter Malaysia through sea and land routes and approach the UNHCR office for asylum. Everyone living in Myanmar is not a victim of the atrocities of the government. Only the Muslim Rohingya have an issue, while the Chin citizens of Myanmar have all the facilities. There is no danger to the Chin or Buddhist citizens of Myanmar in their country. Because of the economic crisis and to find a better future in the country, every month chin and Buddhists from Myanmar cross into Malaysia to get the status of refugees under the pretext of threats to
their lives and NGOs are working quickly to resettle such entrants. The Malaysian government should copy the Thai government’s refugee policy and urge refugee welfare organizations, NGOs, and embassies that have signed the 1951 Refugee Convention to play their role in resettling refugees in third countries in six years at least. Churches, religious organizations and Malaysian citizens with dual citizenship can also play their role. Currently there are refugees in Malaysia who have been there for decades, but have not been considered for resettlement, including Rohingya Muslim refugees. Many countries are reluctant to resettle Rohingya Muslims . The government can talk to the country directors of NGOs like Talent Beyond Boundaries and send the refugees for employment in countries that have signed the 1951 refugee convention so that the shortage of labour is also addressed. Resettlement seems to be the only way to reduce the burden of refugees on Malaysia, otherwise, Malaysia will face serious financial and social problems.
The writer is a senior Journalist He can be reached at pmpk55@hotmail.com Mobile No, +60109301521 Twitter ID: @SyedfawadAli303
