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Asia's migrant crisis: Malaysia launches talks with Bangladesh on refugee problem but no quick solution likely | |
(2 days later) | |
Malaysia launched high-level talks with its neighbours on Sunday to try to solve the deepening problem of refugees stranded in boats off South-east Asia’s shores. But there appeared to be no quick solution to the crisis. | Malaysia launched high-level talks with its neighbours on Sunday to try to solve the deepening problem of refugees stranded in boats off South-east Asia’s shores. But there appeared to be no quick solution to the crisis. |
The Malaysian Foreign Minister, Anifah Aman, met with his counterpart from Bangladesh, Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, ahead of a meeting with the Indonesian and Thai foreign ministers scheduled for Wednesday. But more than two weeks into a regional humanitarian crisis, the stance of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia remained unchanged – that none wants to take the migrants in, fearing that accepting a few would result in an unstoppable flow. Burma, from where many of the migrants have fled, appeared unwilling to engage in talks. | The Malaysian Foreign Minister, Anifah Aman, met with his counterpart from Bangladesh, Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, ahead of a meeting with the Indonesian and Thai foreign ministers scheduled for Wednesday. But more than two weeks into a regional humanitarian crisis, the stance of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia remained unchanged – that none wants to take the migrants in, fearing that accepting a few would result in an unstoppable flow. Burma, from where many of the migrants have fled, appeared unwilling to engage in talks. |
“I have already stated that we cannot afford to accept more of them, as a huge number already exist here – and so far no countries want to settle them,” Mr Aman was quoted as saying by Malaysia’s government-linked mass daily, the New Straits Times. | “I have already stated that we cannot afford to accept more of them, as a huge number already exist here – and so far no countries want to settle them,” Mr Aman was quoted as saying by Malaysia’s government-linked mass daily, the New Straits Times. |
The Malaysian and Bangladeshi foreign ministers met in Sabah state on Borneo island as part of a pre-planned annual consultation between the two countries, officials said. “We have to look at our own interests, too, our social problems and security problems – we have to take that into consideration,” Mr Aman said. “We are asking Myanmar [Burma] to participate in finding a solution.” | The Malaysian and Bangladeshi foreign ministers met in Sabah state on Borneo island as part of a pre-planned annual consultation between the two countries, officials said. “We have to look at our own interests, too, our social problems and security problems – we have to take that into consideration,” Mr Aman said. “We are asking Myanmar [Burma] to participate in finding a solution.” |
Boatloads of more than 2,000 migrants – ethnic Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Burma and Bangladeshis trying to escape poverty – have landed in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in recent weeks. Aid groups estimate that thousands more are stranded at sea after a crackdown on human traffickers prompted captains and smugglers to abandon their human cargo. | Boatloads of more than 2,000 migrants – ethnic Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Burma and Bangladeshis trying to escape poverty – have landed in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in recent weeks. Aid groups estimate that thousands more are stranded at sea after a crackdown on human traffickers prompted captains and smugglers to abandon their human cargo. |
Navy ships from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia have in recent days intercepted boats packed with desperate, hungry migrants, giving them food and water and sending them away – a move that sparked international outrage. | Navy ships from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia have in recent days intercepted boats packed with desperate, hungry migrants, giving them food and water and sending them away – a move that sparked international outrage. |
Malaysia is the current chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, which has been criticised for long ignoring the plight of the Rohingya. | Malaysia is the current chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, which has been criticised for long ignoring the plight of the Rohingya. |
AP | AP |
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