Malaysia and Indonesia's Decision to Accept Stranded Refugees at Sea

In response to a request from the United Nations for Malaysia and Indonesia to accept boat refugees, the governments of these two countries announced that they will no longer send back boats carrying these refugees to the sea. Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand have faced severe international criticism for sending back tired and hungry Muslim refugees and leaving them stranded at sea. Most of the refugees on these boats are from the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, who face significant pressure in a country where Buddhists are in the majority. According to AFP, following increased international criticism, Myanmar has also reduced its pressures on the Rohingya people and is even providing humanitarian assistance to stranded Rohingya migrants. Meanwhile, Anifah Aman, Malaysia's Foreign Minister, announced on Wednesday, May 30, in a joint press conference with her Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, that 'sending boats away from the shore and returning them to the sea' will be halted by both countries from now on. Reports indicate that the Thai government has not yet joined this decision, and its foreign minister stated that his government will still discuss this matter. Over the past 10 days, the three countries have rescued about three thousand migrants who were swimming towards the shore from stranded boats. In one of the latest cases, 433 refugees were rescued early Wednesday while suffering from severe hunger and their wooden boat was in poor condition near the Indonesian shore. The foreign ministers of Malaysia and Indonesia estimated that around seven thousand refugees are still stranded in boats at sea. Every year, several thousand Rohingya Muslims flee their country due to the violence and discrimination they face in Myanmar. Tom Malinowski, a U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, has called on the Myanmar government to implement 'long-term changes' in its policy towards the Rohingya people.