THE Sarawak government's decision to reject the entry of Rohingya refugees in 2017 proved to be right based on various social problems that arose in Peninsular Malaysia.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said that the stance taken by Sarawak Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, at that time ensured that Sarawak avoided various issues currently faced in several states in the Peninsula.
According to him, Sarawak remains sympathetic to the plight of the Rohingya ethnic group, who were forced to leave Myanmar due to oppression, but the management of the entry of refugees must be done in an orderly manner.
“We can see now that the decision made in 2017 was accurate. We did not accept them, but that does not mean we are inhumane.
“The Sarawak government is always ready to help those who need it. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we also helped foreigners stranded in the state because the border was closed, though they were not in the asnaf category.
“That shows that the Sarawak administration is not cruel. We will help when there is a need, but at the same time, we want to ensure that the entry of refugees or foreign immigrants is managed orderly,” he said.
Abdul Karim said weaknesses in refugee management caused some of them to stay for too long, to the point of forming their own settlements and dominating several economic sectors, which ultimately affected the local population.
He said that the situation also contributed to the increase in various social problems.
“If the Federal Government wants to accept refugees or those who are oppressed in their country of origin, make sure everything is done in an orderly manner.
“Don’t let those who come end up opening their own settlements and creating difficulties for locals to run businesses and earn a living,” he said.
He stressed that Sarawak would continue to adhere to a cautious policy on issues involving the entry of refugees and foreign immigrants to maintain social stability and the well-being of the people of this state.
In September 2017, Abang Johari stressed that the state government would not allow Rohingya refugees to be settled in Sarawak and did not want to be involved in the issue. – June 15, 2026
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