Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Far East and Asia > Malaysia
Reload this Page >

The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Old May 14th 2015, 8:05 am
  #1  
...............
Thread Starter
 
bakedbean's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Far North Queensland
Posts: 17,625
bakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond repute
Default The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

I'm sure everyone's read about the poor souls marooned on Langkawi. Now looks like there's a boat off Penang island too.

From today's Star Online:
GEORGE TOWN: A boat crammed with more than 500 illegal immigrants has been found off the coast of Penang island, the latest evidence that thousands of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas are desperately trying to reach land after being abandoned by their human traffickers.

There is no information if the overcrowded boat will be allowed to come on shore, said Zafar Ahmad, who heads the Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation of Malaysia.

“We urge the Malaysian Govern­ment to give these Rohingya refugees protection and shelter,” he said.

It is learnt that the boat will be towed to the island today.
500 illegals found off Penang - Nation | The Star Online
bakedbean is offline  
Old May 14th 2015, 11:34 am
  #2  
JC3
¿uo buıob s,ʇɐɥʍ
 
JC3's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,762
JC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond reputeJC3 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Originally Posted by bakedbean
I'm sure everyone's read about the poor souls marooned on Langkawi. Now looks like there's a boat off Penang island too.
It looks like Malaysia has turned them away too, according to AP.

Malaysia turns away 800 boat people; Thailand spots 3rd boat

JC3
JC3 is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 1:02 am
  #3  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 104
Stuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Originally Posted by JC3
It looks like Malaysia has turned them away too, according to AP.

Malaysia turns away 800 boat people; Thailand spots 3rd boat

JC3
These people entered Malaysia illegally for years to be exploited, underpaid and mistreated, now due to the crack down of human trafficking on the Thai side they are set adrift. IMO Malaysia has an obligation to help these people, after all it was Malaysia that has benefitted from them for considerable time.
Stuurman is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 7:32 am
  #4  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
ex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Originally Posted by Stuurman
These people entered Malaysia illegally for years to be exploited, underpaid and mistreated, now due to the crack down of human trafficking on the Thai side they are set adrift. IMO Malaysia has an obligation to help these people, after all it was Malaysia that has benefitted from them for considerable time.
Sounds similar to illegal immigrants in UK, USA and elsewhere.

And now any illegal immigrants crossing the Med to Europe should be sent back says Teressa May in UK.
ex reg is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 7:47 am
  #5  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 104
Stuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Well the rest of the EU is at least trying to resolve the problem in the Mediterranean.
Malaysia chairs the ASEAN at the moment and should in that role be more proactive but apart from pushing them back to sea they don't offer ideas or solutions.
Fortunately the Thais feel a bigger responsibility and PM Prayuth has called for a regional conference end of May on this subject. Unfortunately all of the other countries involved have yet to respond to his initiative.
Stuurman is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 7:48 am
  #6  
Hostage Negotiator
 
InVinoVeritas's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,173
InVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Originally Posted by Stuurman
These people entered Malaysia illegally for years to be exploited, underpaid and mistreated, now due to the crack down of human trafficking on the Thai side they are set adrift. IMO Malaysia has an obligation to help these people, after all it was Malaysia that has benefitted from them for considerable time.
Difficult to see the logic there.
InVinoVeritas is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 8:49 am
  #7  
...............
Thread Starter
 
bakedbean's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Far North Queensland
Posts: 17,625
bakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond reputebakedbean has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Thailand has been sending them back to Burma (where of course they won't survive) for quite a long time. Try this link just for a start off from a year ago:
Thailand sends Rohingya Muslims back to Burma - BBC News

And can remember when I was living in Thailand, 7 or 8 years ago, when they were rounding them up at Ranong (near the Burmese border).

The real problem is not Malaysia nor Thailand. It is Burma. So some pressure needs to be put on Burma. That's the solution.

What about Singapore? My god, so much business done between Singapore and Burma.... and all the important folks in Burma get their medical problems sorted out in Singapore. Got to be some leverage there if Singapore has the balls to do something.
bakedbean is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 8:56 am
  #8  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 104
Stuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Thailand indeed deports them overland but pushing an overcrowded vessel full of hungry people (and abandoned by the crew who should navigate it) back to sea is a different matter IMO. If they keep doing this it's just a matter of time before dead bodies wash ashore on Penang and Langkawi beaches, just like in Italy.

Last edited by Stuurman; May 15th 2015 at 8:59 am.
Stuurman is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 9:49 am
  #9  
Hostage Negotiator
 
InVinoVeritas's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,173
InVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

This is a complex international issue and the reasons that particular people are transiting between countries are very different. The common themes are that (i) big money is made by crooks indulging in this trade (ii) there is ignorance on the part of the passengers as to how their trip may end and (iii) the countries from where they are departing are the only ones who can stop it.

Any country accepting refugees is tacitly encouraging this trade.

My solution would be to put them in a boat and take them back from whence they came to spread the word among other potential victims (but then I'm not a politician).
InVinoVeritas is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 10:31 am
  #10  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 104
Stuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond reputeStuurman has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

They countries they are departing from are very often failed states, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Irak and in case of the Rohingyas Burma, where they have no status. The reason they leave is utter despair. Taking them back without doing anything about the circumstances they initially fled from will have little result IMO, they will just try again it's their only chance.

Last edited by Stuurman; May 15th 2015 at 10:44 am.
Stuurman is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 12:49 pm
  #11  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
ex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond reputeex reg has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Migrant crisis: 800 taken ashore in Indonesia but two other boats turned away - Asia - World - The Independent

You can imagine the OUTRAGE in this article and other British newspapers if similar hadn't already occurred in the Med.

Interesting comment at the bottom about nearly all male and few children.
ex reg is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 1:21 pm
  #12  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Location: Penang
Posts: 618
Gunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond reputeGunnar45 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

It is certainly a dilemma.
Allowing refugees to enter the countries to which they flee will only result in increased traffic(king) and conflicts.
As already said by BB, the situation can only be improved by actions in the respective countries of origin.
And of course stringent laws and enforcement regarding human trafficking also in the recipient countries.

As per Wikipedia, the total number of Rohingyas seems to be a total of 1.5-2M with 800k in Myanmar, 400k in Saudi, 300k in Bangla Desh, 200k in Pakistan, 100k in Thailand and 40k in Malaysia.

Last edited by Gunnar45; May 15th 2015 at 1:32 pm.
Gunnar45 is offline  
Old May 15th 2015, 4:00 pm
  #13  
Hostage Negotiator
 
InVinoVeritas's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,173
InVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond reputeInVinoVeritas has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

You have to understand that mixed in with the genuine people claiming refugee status are terrorists looking for an easy passage.
InVinoVeritas is offline  
Old May 16th 2015, 12:09 am
  #14  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 83
Twixy is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

^Well that definitely throws a wrench in things.

Apparently there are over 1.5 million of these guys so the problem is not going away anytime soon.

Does anyone know the likelihood of the UN cracking down on Burma, forcing them to recognize the Rohingyas as equal citizens under the threat of heavy sanctions?
Twixy is offline  
Old May 16th 2015, 12:20 am
  #15  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 706
xizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond reputexizzles has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: The Rohingyas and Bangladeshis abandoned

Originally Posted by Twixy
^Well that definitely throws a wrench in things.

Apparently there are over 1.5 million of these guys so the problem is not going away anytime soon.

Does anyone know the likelihood of the UN cracking down on Burma, forcing them to recognize the Rohingyas as equal citizens under the threat of heavy sanctions?
Burma was under heavy sanctions for decades, because of how the junta seized power to deny Aung San Suu Kyi her rightful place as the people's elected representative. Didn't change a thing in that hole of a country, apart from making innocent Burmese suffer economic hardship and financial ruin. Sanctions hardly ever hurt the people they are meant to punish. South Africa and apartheid. Russia and Ukraine. It's always the most vulnerable that gets hurt the most
xizzles is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.