Why Bangladesh is asking Malaysia to step in on the Rohingya crisis
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has appealed to Malaysia for greater assistance in addressing the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis during talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Yunus described the situation as one of Bangladesh’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, noting that the country has seen the largest influx of Rohingya refugees in the past 18 months since the mass exodus of Myanmar’s largely Muslim minority nearly a decade ago.
“This is a big problem for us... We need all the help we can get from Malaysia as a good friend,” Yunus said.
According to the United Nations, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled violence and persecution in Myanmar over the years, with Bangladesh now hosting the largest refugee settlement in the world. The prolonged crisis has placed significant strain on Bangladesh’s resources, prompting calls for stronger regional and international cooperation.
Malaysia, a key voice in Southeast Asia on the Rohingya issue, has previously criticised Myanmar’s handling of the crisis and supported humanitarian efforts for the displaced community.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
