The former foreign minister says Parliament deserves clarity on whether the plan is lawful and consistent with Malaysia\u2019s long-standing policy on the Myanmar junta.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Saifuddin](\"https:\/\/www.freemalaysiatoday.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=3840,quality=80,format=auto,fit=scale-down,metadata=none,dpr=1,onerror=redirect\/https:\/\/media.freemalaysiatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3b5acf04-setiausaha-agung-reset-malaysia-saifuddin-abdullah-himpunan-reset-johor-5.webp\")
Former foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah asked if the government is normalising ties with the Myanmar junta by entrusting it with the return of Rohingya refugees who had fled persecution and violence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPETALING JAYA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah has urged the home minister to make a ministerial statement in Parliament explaining the government\u2019s plan to return 5,000 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Indera Mahkota MP said the statement should clarify the implementation of National Security Council Directive No 23, the government\u2019s overall policy on Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, and how it intends to address the issue in a lawful and transparent manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor many years, Malaysia has consistently maintained that any repatriation must be safe, voluntary and dignified, and that conditions in Myanmar must allow for a sustainable return. Does this remain the government\u2019s policy?\u201d he asked in a statement today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saifuddin also asked what assurances Myanmar had provided regarding the citizenship, legal status, safety, freedom of movement and long-term protection of those who might be returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He asked whether the government had changed its stance on Myanmar\u2019s military junta, which Malaysia previously said lacked legitimacy and had failed to implement Asean\u2019s five-point consensus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also asked whether the government was normalising ties with the junta by entrusting it with the return of Rohingya refugees who had fled persecution and violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cParliament and the Malaysian people deserve clear answers on an issue that goes to the heart of Malaysia\u2019s humanitarian commitments, foreign policy consistency and international standing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PETALING JAYA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah has urged the home minister to make a ministerial statement in Parliament explaining the government\u2019s plan to return 5,000 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Indera Mahkota MP said the statement should clarify the implementation of National Security Council Directive No 23, the government\u2019s overall policy on Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, and how it intends to address the issue in a lawful and transparent manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor many years, Malaysia has consistently maintained that any repatriation must be safe, voluntary and dignified, and that conditions in Myanmar must allow for a sustainable return. Does this remain the government\u2019s policy?\u201d he asked in a statement today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saifuddin also asked what assurances Myanmar had provided regarding the citizenship, legal status, safety, freedom of movement and long-term protection of those who might be returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He asked whether the government had changed its stance on Myanmar\u2019s military junta, which Malaysia previously said lacked legitimacy and had failed to implement Asean\u2019s five-point consensus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also asked whether the government was normalising ties with the junta by entrusting it with the return of Rohingya refugees who had fled persecution and violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cParliament and the Malaysian people deserve clear answers on an issue that goes to the heart of Malaysia\u2019s humanitarian commitments, foreign policy consistency and international standing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n