Malaysia wants UN role in repatriation
Praising Bangladesh for giving Rohingyas shelter, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia supports involvement of international community and UN agencies in the repatriation process.
Zahid said this when he called on Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali. The Malaysian minister arrived here on a two-day visit, said its foreign ministry in a statement yesterday.
The deputy prime minister opined that Malaysia and Bangladesh could be leading partners in resolving the problem. He assured that Malaysia will be with Bangladesh on this issue.
During the meeting, Mahmood Ali said, “The root of the problem is in Myanmar and the solution also lies there.”
The Malaysian deputy premier is expected to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other ministers alongside visiting the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar today.
On the other hand, Director General of International Organization for Migration (IOM) William Lacy Swing also arrived in the capital yesterday to assess the situation of Rohingyas.
He is expected to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, among others.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday said during his visit to Myanmar from October 23, he will urge the authorities there to take back the Rohingya refugees.
"We will discuss with the Myanmar government so that the Rohingya people can lead their life safely after their return to their homeland," said the minister.
He was talking to reporters after attending a programme at Shafipur Ansar VDP academy in Gazipur.
BANGLADESH STEPS UP SECURITY ALONG INDIA BORDER
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have stepped up patrols and tightened security along the West Bengal border of India amid concern that hundreds of Rohingya refugees could be pushed into Bangladesh.
Lt Col Mohammad Tariqul Hakim, a commanding officer of BGB, yesterday told The Daily Star that they had noticed some 15-20 Rohingyas gathered on the opposite site of Putkhali river and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) were trying to push them into Bangladesh.
“We have already stepped up surveillance and patrols so that no Rohingya can be pushed into our territory,” said Tariqul Hakim.
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