Klang MP Charles Santiago said that while Najib spoke of not closing his eyes and shutting his mouth over the plight of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, he has not done anything for the Rohingyas already present in the country.

“He certainly hasn’t opened up discussions about recognising the rights of the Rohingyas as refugees.

“Also, just recently, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, described the Rohingya as ‘illegal immigrants’. All this, while the Najib administration welcomed Syrians, giving them temporary residence and work permits,” Santiago said in a statement released today, adding that the rally was more a case of playing to the gallery.

He added that such a disparity in policy did not give Malaysia the leverage with Myanmar, to begin with.

Aside from cancelling two friendly football matches with Myanmar and Najib making an emotional plea to the United Nations, Santiago said the more important issue for Rohingya refugees was that Malaysia ratify the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

“Malaysia should acknowledge the rights of the Rohingyas as refugees so that the Rohingya are not left in a legal limbo (stateless) here, the same way they already are in Myanmar.

“The government must allow the Rohingya refugees to work here first, then also lobby other Asean countries to reprimand Myanmar,” Santiago said.

The DAP lawmaker reminded Najib that since Malaysia was instrumental in bringing Myanmar back to the Asean fold, it had an added responsibility to bear in regard to Myanmar’s actions against the Rohingya community.

“Malaysia can certainly demand Myanmar’s expulsion (from Asean) if calls to stop the violence against the Rohingyas go unheeded.

“We can also moot an initiative for an arms embargo against Myanmar, while keeping diplomatic channels open to ensure continuing dialogues.”

Najib, Hadi share stage to protest violence against Rohingyas