THE Rohingya refugee issue could become a “nuclear bomb” threatening Malaysia’s political stability and moral fabric if it is not addressed firmly and urgently, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The MUDA president said Malaysia had for decades demonstrated humanitarian responsibility by accepting refugees from various conflicts, including Vietnam, many of whom were eventually resettled in developed countries.
However, he said the same burden-sharing arrangement had failed for the Rohingya, with Malaysia continuing to absorb a disproportionate share of refugees while neighbouring countries and major powers failed to fulfil their commitments.
“Official statistics show that Malaysia is hosting more than 130,000 Rohingya refugees, compared with fewer than 2,600 in Indonesia, fewer than 500 in Thailand and fewer than 20,000 in India,” he said during a debate on refugee management in Malaysia.
“This shows that promises have not been fulfilled. Malaysia has ultimately had to absorb all the problems, while others remain comfortable, as if we are the ones who have to solve this problem.”
Syed Saddiq said unofficial estimates put the number of refugees in Malaysia at about 200,000, while wealthier countries with stronger gross domestic product had accepted fewer than 1,000.
He also criticised the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and countries that had pledged to use Malaysia as a temporary transit point before refugees were resettled in third countries.
He said Malaysia’s position as a perceived safe destination had also created incentives for trafficking syndicates to bring Rohingya refugees into the country, with the cost reportedly reaching US$5,000 (RM20,400) per person.
“Why Malaysia? Because Malaysia is seen as a safe place. If the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency do not act firmly, we are indirectly giving these smugglers an incentive to continue bringing thousands or tens of thousands of people to Malaysia,” he said.
Syed Saddiq cited the discovery of more than 150 graves in Wang Kelian, Perlis, as evidence of the deadly consequences of human smuggling networks.
He called for a zero-tolerance policy by enforcement agencies against illegal entry by sea, while urging Malaysia to stop relying on resettlement commitments made by developed countries.
“We can no longer allow ourselves to believe in the promises of developed countries, such as resettlement and temporary accommodation in Malaysia while the process is being carried out. No longer. Neighbouring countries must also share the burden and bring this issue to ASEAN.
“If Western countries want to criticise us, ask them to provide places, not just leave Malaysia to shoulder the burden. We need a bipartisan solution,” he said.
He also proposed that the Dewan Rakyat establish a special committee to examine the refugee issue so it would not be handled according to partisan interests.
“We need the political courage to act together, but there must be a target. For example, within 10 years, we should reduce the number of refugees from 200,000 to a much smaller figure,” he said. - October 5, 2026
