The Rohingya crisis is an ASEAN crisis: Former Malaysian foreign minister

ছবিঃ সিএনআই

Staff Correspondent: The Rohingya crisis is an ASEAN crisis, said former Malaysian Foreign and Home Minister Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid Albar. He made these remarks at a regional roundtable discussion titled "UN Secretary-General Guterres' Bangladesh Visit 2025: A Global Commitment to Resolving the Rohingya Crisis." The roundtable discussion was held at a luxury hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 9. 

The event, jointly organized by the Muslim World Research Center (MWRC) and the OIC Study Group (OICSG) in collaboration with Cable News International (CNI) and the Institute of Policy, Governance, and Development (IPGAD), Bangladesh, was graced by the presence of Dr. Syed Hamid Albar, former Foreign Minister of Malaysia and Chairman of the OIC Study Group, as the chief guest. The event was presided over by Dr. Isharaf Hossain, President of the Muslim World Research Center and Secretary General of the OIC Study Group. 

In the discussion, Dr. Hamid Albar said, “The Rohingya crisis can no longer be seen as a bilateral issue between Myanmar and Bangladesh—it is now a collective humanitarian and security crisis in the ASEAN region.” The current global governance framework has proven ineffective, so it is time to explore effective solutions through alternative strategies and regional cooperation. 

He added that as Malaysia is currently the chair of ASEAN, this is an important opportunity to take effective action. In particular, the existing cordial relationship between Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus can be helpful in finding a sustainable solution to this crisis. Referring to Myanmar's commitment to repatriate 1.8 million Rohingyas at the BIMSTEC summit, he commented, "Agreement alone is not enough—implementation is the key. Not just advocacy, what is needed now is a multi-level diplomatic initiative and active participation of all relevant stakeholders." 

Among others in the discussion, CNI Vice Chairman Mr. Ashfaq Zaman said, “An effective solution to the Rohingya crisis requires mutual trust, expectations, and a workable vision. The agreement must be implemented—these people must be given a message of hope.” 

Mr. Jamal Shamsuddin, president of the Malaysian Islamic NGO Association, said, “Malaysia has long stood by the Rohingya people—now is the time for the ASEAN alliance to take an urgent and effective role in resolving this crisis.” 

Former advisor to the Malaysian Foreign Minister and ABIM president, Md. Fahmi Samsuddin said, “The Muslim world has a moral and religious responsibility to stand by the stateless and oppressed people. Effective coordination among ASEAN countries is essential to resolve this crisis.” 

ABIM president Ahmad Fahmi Samsudin highlighted 4 points of action, including a safe zone ensured by the UN within Myanmar for the repatriation to be successful. He previously contributed his voice to the application of the Rohingya genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Mr. Ahad Asad Abbas Khan, Diplomatic Envoy of the Pakistan High Commission, said that for a speedy resolution of the Rohingya issue, “a united position of the Muslim world must be developed through a joint initiative of the OIC and ASEAN so that justice, protection, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya refugees are ensured.” 

University of Malaya lecturer Dr. Shahabuddin Ahmed and Malaysia BNP founding president Dr. Borhan Ahmed highlighted BNP's current position on the issue, citing the initiatives and roles of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in resolving the Rohingya crisis. 

Mohammad Sadek, a representative of the Rohingya community in Malaysia, said, "No solution will be sustainable without ensuring civil rights, security, and dignified repatriation for the displaced Rohingya." Mohammad Alauddin, Executive Director of the Institute of Policy, Governance, and Development (IPGAD), said, “The Rohingya crisis is no longer just a humanitarian or political issue for Bangladesh; it is now directly related to Bangladesh's geopolitics and national security. To harness the potential of the Bay of Bengal, a new reality and strong stance of southward diplomacy are needed.” He also mentioned that the political force that has recently emerged in Bangladesh under the leadership of the youth force called NCP through the July 5th mass uprising '24 is also very vigilant and active in resolving the Rohingya crisis. 

In the chairman's speech, Dr. Isharaf Hossain said that the current interim government of Bangladesh is quite active and sincere in resolving the Rohingya crisis. As a result, the recent visit of the UN Secretary-General has been possible. His visit has increased the geopolitical and strategic importance of the Rohingya crisis in the regional and global arena. As a result, global powers have paid new attention to the Rohingya crisis, which is important and significant. In the current context, it is necessary for Bangladesh to increase further communication with the current ASEAN chairman, Malaysia, and take effective steps because almost all speakers expressed the opinion in the discussion that through an inclusive and multi-level diplomatic strategy, by involving important international partners including ASEAN and Muslim majority countries, a quick, sustainable, and respectful solution to this crisis is needed in the broader regional interests of SAARC and ASEAN. In this regard, Professor Dr. Yunus' close friend and current ASEAN Chairman, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, can jointly take special initiatives, which can be included in the agenda of the upcoming main ASEAN summit.