After Weeks Of Authorities Rejecting Over 7,000 Rohingyas, Najib Announces SAR Mission
"We have to prevent loss of life," Najib said in a tweet.
By Sadho Ram — 21 May 2015, 01:10 PM
After weeks of Malaysian authorities rejecting boats filled with Rohingya migrants and towing them out of Malaysian waters, Prime Minister Najib Razak on Thursday, 21 May, tweeted that the Malaysian navy will conduct search and rescue missions for Rohingya boats in the Andaman Sea to prevent loss of life:
I have instructed @tldm_rasmi & APMM to assist @MERCYMalaysia to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyan refugees, by sea or land
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) May 20, 2015
It is basic human compassion tt we ensure the hungry wl b given food & water while the sick wl b attended to w medical treatment & supplies.
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) May 20, 2015
I have further ordered @tldm_rasmi and APMM to conduct search and rescue efforts on Rohingya boats. We have to prevent loss of life.
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) May 21, 2015
Najib's comments came a day after Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to provide shelter to 7,000 migrants adrift at sea on condition that the international community resettles them within a year
Malaysia and Indonesia's foreign ministers are in Myanmar for talks on the migrant crisis. About 7,000 people are believed to be still out at sea. The migrants are comprised of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar as well as Bangladeshis. Malaysia and Indonesia have said they will temporarily shelter those that land on their territory but need help from the international community.
bbc.comMeanwhile Foreign Minister Anifah Aman's office said he would hold talks on Thursday with his Myanmar counterpart U Wunna Maung Lwin in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. Myanmar has been accused of doing nothing to address the problem at home, BBC reported.
