LFL: Anwar’s Malaysia Day Statement on Rohingyas is a disgrace to the nation

I refer to the Prime Minister’s statement on 16 September 2026, in which he said that he is not responsible for welcoming Rohingyas to this country and that he now has to expel them.

In doing so, he blamed former PM Najib Razak and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

It is an undeniable fact, validated by the UN, that Rohingyas are victims of the genocidal violence of the brutal Burmese military regime.

The PM’s statement is disgraceful, amoral, and shames the nation in the eyes of the international community.

It is also manifestly contrary to the tenets and principles of Islam, which welcomes and defends  the oppressed and needy.

The Rohingya refugees have not come to Malaysia as economic migrants or to seek a better life in this country. They have not come willingly to our shores but have arrived here under the imminent threat of torture and mass killing. Neither men, women nor children, not even babies, are spared from slaughter by the vicious Burmese regime.

Clearly, Malaysia did the right thing and acted in accordance with its international duties and in line with United Nations principles when it previously received and welcomed the Rohingyas.

Anwar’s claim that the Rohingyas were brought in during Najib’s administration is also a historical lie intended to score cheap political points against UMNO and PAS. The Rohingya influx pre-dates Najib’s premiership. The sufferings of the Rohingyas should not be used as political fodder by Anwar and his ilk.

In addition, Anwar himself, in 2016, called on Najib from jail to take concrete action to help the Rohingyas. It is sheer hypocrisy for him now to shift the blame to previous administrations.

He has even announced plans to welcome the Myanmar leader to Malaysia, claiming that engaging with this oppressive regime is the way forward to resolve the problems faced by the Rohingya for decades. By that same logic, would Anwar engage diplomatically with the Israeli regime to end the atrocities against Palestinians? After all, there are stark similarities in the fate faced by the Rohingya and Palestinians, both at the hands of regimes considered international pariahs.

What is even more shocking is Anwar’s announcement that he will “have to expel” the Rohingya refugees.

Firstly, this would be in breach of our international obligations under the principle of non-refoulement.

Secondly, to now deny asylum to these desperate Rohingya refugees is also unacceptable and contrary to international humanitarian law.

Instead of providing moral leadership, he is echoing the despicable views and rants of xenophobes and those who spread hate propaganda in the public domain.

The complaints of some ignorant and indifferent segments of society that the Rohingya pose some sort of economic threat to them are baseless.

The nature of the issue and the numbers involved can be managed by the government by taking comprehensive, well-thought-out steps, in coordination with UNHCR.

All decent Malaysians will first demand that the planned, unprincipled and evil expulsion of the Rohingyas be immediately stopped.

Secondly, they will demand that the government deal with the plight of the Rohingya refugees with decency, humanity and Islamic principles.

Thirdly, the government must take immediate enforcement action against all those who have been inciting violence and hatred against the Rohingyas.

With this shocking announcement on Malaysia Day, the PM appears to have totally abandoned all pretence that he is a reformist of any kind. No reformist would speak in this manner about suffering people who are fleeing torture and death.

No decent Malaysian will agree with Anwar’s position.

If Anwar does not reverse his position on the Rohingya question, history and future generations will condemn him, and our nation as well.

Issued by,
Latheefa Koya
Advisor