Rohingya Zahid Was Right

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THE Rohingya issue seems to be giving Zahid Hamidi some highlights again. I think it is good for him. Let Malaysians fully comprehend. The former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister is getting rounds of critics for his right and prudent stand over the refugees under Barisan Nasional government.

He was even in Cox Bazaar in Bangladesh to visit few Rohingya camps following the exodus of millions refugees in the 2017 massacre. The refugees took center stage on the international arena, their plight took a prominent episode at the United Nations General Assembly which led to the Nobel Price being stripped off Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu-kyi.

Zahid was right, very right. It was Malaysia's stand back then, and I hope it still applies. The BN government even held a rally with political rival PAS on solidarity with the Rohingyas. Not only Malaysia, many countries held similar protest against Yangoon.

So, the UMNO president was right. Malaysia 'allowed' them in on humanitarian reasons. The arrived and kept on arriving. We fed them and we are still feeding them. The government gave them shelters and necessary aid. Other neighboring countries adapt the same policy.

When Zahid announced (as Home Minister) that a settlement would be erected for them, why must some Malaysians made a fuss out it? Unless they wanted the government to treat the Rohingya refugees like animals or bandits! They are humans too who need shelter and basic necessities. The video of his announcement in aid of the refugees in 2017 are on viral again without any tangible reasons. Sickening!

Under UNHCR, refugees have no rights to education, business and job. Why? Because they won't stay long in any countries of arrival as they will be reported to Third World Countries.

However, Malaysia is more 'humane than human'. The refugees were allowed to education and work. Yes, Zahid once said that they would be trained in desired skills in the plantation and construction sectors as to prepare them to be accepted and work in Third Countries. Nothing was wrong with that, and it won praises from the world. No country will take those without proper skill.

Malaysia also demanded that Myanmar government resolve the Rohingya issue. Malaysia cannot sit back and witness the sufferings the ethnic minority is enduring in its fellow Asean state. In Asean, the plight of Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine state of Myanmar demands a fast and concrete solution before it gets out of hand.

No, we are not against the Myanmar government, they are a friend in Asean but they too must show a strong determination to resolve the issue.

But the Rohingya refugees whom we salvaged and rescued a few years ago have refused to leave Malaysia. They wanted to stay and for that there had been an uprising among them to the extent that they have forgotten our kindness.

There were news that they demanded for full citizenship and equality with Malaysians. Some say it was based on a promise made by Pakatan Harapan government under Dr Mahathir that they will be accorded with MyKads.

And Zahid was right then in preparing them with specific skills and jobs in selective industries. However, those are in the past tense. Referring to recent events which indicate how the refugees have gone overboard, I believe Zahid would want the government to take a new step (maybe) in resolving it accordingly. 

Personally, I don't treat them as refugees anymore but illegal immigrants. They've been here long enough, and some even ride freely on the UNHCR card. They are becoming a threat to locals and the national security.

We don't want to rake the past of the Rohingya. It is not so pleasant either. They should know who they are. To claim full citizenship is not in Malaysia but in Myanmar where the came from. We don't tolerate those who bite the hands that feed them.

Zahid had also said that it was not fair at all to label the Rohingya as terrorists. They were the ones being terrorised in Rakhine, which force them to fled to Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and some other countries.

Under present circumstances, Zahid may see things from another perspective although our solidarity with them remains. He had led Malaysia in providing humanitarian aid to them. He wasn't pampering them, it was just human gesture. He also had made it clear then that no more refugees would be allowed in.

To me, there is a big difference between yesterday and today. We can be nice yesterday but things may force us to be otherwise a day after.

Perhaps Zahid can lend a hand to the government on methods to address the Rohingya issue. His vast experience and his first account of the refugees in Cox Bazaar will surely ease PM Muhyiddin's burden during this Covid-19 predicament.

I believe the government must step up collaboration with UNHCR and IOM before sending them to Third World Countries or back to Myanmar if the situation back home permits.

To the Rohingya refugees, maybe they can consider these options: to stay in Malaysia as refugees on special approval, go to Third Countries or go back to Myanmar!

Hope this is clear. We do not hate the refugees and they won't have gone silly should someone had promised them anything!

Ooh... I believe Zahid's video was deliberately 'on sale' as a diversion from 'a former government's' bombastic 'selling and offering' of MyKads to Chinese citizens. Could be, could be not. They are good at diversion, for instance when they said the nation had no more money for the rakyat!

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