M’sians gather supplies for stranded migrants

KUALA LUMPUR — A few groups of Malaysians have begun gathering supplies to help the thousands of Rohingya Muslim refugees adrift at sea, despite the lack of action by the government to address the humanitarian crisis.

The groups have already mobilised collection of food items and medical supplies, and are now working on securing the necessary clearance from the authorities to deliver the aid.

“The problem now is if the ships are either in international waters or Thai waters, we do not know for certain,” social activist Azrul Mohd Khalib told Malay Mail yesterday. “If it is international waters, it would be easier for us to deliver supplies and all but if Thai waters, it would be more problematic,” he added.

Mr Azrul said there are also plans to set up base in Langkawi, being the nearest point to reach the refugees, apart from using helicopters to airdrop medical supplies. He added that MERCY Malaysia — a voluntary humanitarian and medical relief organisation, might launch an initiative to help deliver supplies as well, and urged any group planning to distribute aid to coordinate with them.

Meanwhile, other prominent social activists including Marina Mahathir, daughter of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad have also started to galvanise netizens. She started a Facebook thread on her page yesterday morning which has already garnered over 1,000 likes, 200 shares and lots of comments from Malaysians chipping in to help.

“Ok this is what I can think of right now to deal with this terrible humanitarian crisis out at sea. This is a temporary solution. The permanent solution needs to be dealt with at the government to government level. As chair of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Malaysia needs to take the lead,” posted Ms Marina. “Does anyone have seaworthy boats? Can we get food, water and other essential items plus medical personnel and send them out to the boats to help these people for now?

Anyone who wants to help, please step forward. Anyone who doesn’t, just keep quiet and step aside. Thanks,” her post on Facebook read.

Former Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar also took to social media yesterday to urge the government to take swift action and save the migrants from imminent death.

“Act now to save d Rohingya boat people fm drowning. Malaysian leaders pls respnd to d call of UNSG n intl comnty. Silence is nt an optn,” he tweeted yesterday.

Over the weekend, more than 1,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh were stranded on Langkawi, apparently after human traffickers abandoned ship and left them alone.

The Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry had initially classified them as illegal immigrants and not refugees. The government also turned away seaworthy boats carrying the migrants from Malaysia’s maritime border to send a message that they were not welcome.

But responding to growing international and domestic pressure, Prime Minister Najib Razak announced yesterday that the government would take “necessary action” to address the humanitarian crisis. AGENCIES