IT is indeed easy for us to say “expel the Rohingya ethnic group.” In fact, Awang also feels saddened by the use of the word “expel.” We must remember who they are. They are, in general, people who have been victimised by the Myanmar government because of their race and religion.
They are discriminated against and denied their rights. Because of this, they have become refugees. Many are now in Malaysia.
An observer said the Rohingya are allowed to move freely, making it difficult to gather them for deportation.
He said in Indonesia and Bangladesh, they are placed in specially designated areas that are tightly controlled. We are neither Indonesia nor Bangladesh. We are a country that is far more humane.
They are oppressed Muslims. We must not forget that. We mourn for the Palestinians who are victims of the Israeli regime’s brutality. At one time, we also sympathised with the Muslim people of Bosnia who were oppressed by the Serbs.
The Rohingya ethnic group is close to us. That is why they flee here. If Bosnia or Palestine were close to us, I believe many of them would also seek refuge in Malaysia.
Awang agrees with the view of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), which urges the public to stop making hate-filled comments against this community.
We should help them instead, so that they can live a better life – for the sake of their children, wives, husbands and their religion. If they do wrong, then action should be taken against them.