GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will continue to monitor the issue of the Rohingya community's resettlement in the state following the voluntary relocation of 121 Rohingya from a temporary settlement at the former tsunami site in Penaga, Kuala Muda in North Seberang Perai on Sunday (July 26) night.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the relocation was not an operation ordered by the state government, but rather carried out by the community who chose to seek assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
He said the relocation of all of them was also facilitated by the provision of transport, making it easier for the refugees to move out of the area.
"Such operations are not carried out by the government. In this case, those who wanted to move sought assistance from UNHCR and went to Kuala Lumpur.
"That is what we heard from residents about the presence of the Rohingya community in their area, which has an impact on the local social and economic situation. The Rohingya community understood the feelings of the locals and chose to move out," he told reporters here on Tuesday (July 28).
Chow added that the state government was constantly monitoring developments in other areas that had Rohingya communities, including in Penaga and Bagan.
He said that so far, there were not many direct complaints to the state government; instead, some residents sought to channel information or complaints to the Village Community Management Council (MPKK) or the police.
Meanwhile, Chow reminded all parties to respect the country's laws and use the correct channels in dealing with any issues related to the community.
The Chief Minister said UNHCR also needs to play a more active role in monitoring issues involving refugees, especially when increasing numbers can pose management challenges.
"We cannot allow actions that affect the lives of the people, residents or create obstacles to traffic and so on.
“We are a country with laws, so people who come here must respect the law and use the correct channels," he said.
Hundreds of Rohingya refugees were reported to have gathered in front of the UNHCR office in Jalan Bukit Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, after arriving in the capital on three buses from Penang.
North Seberang Perai OCPD Asst Comm Anuar Abdul Rahman said the relocation was prompted by growing competition over economic opportunities and living space following an increase in the Rohingya population at the settlement.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when commenting on the matter, said the government would not compromise on acts disrupting public order. – Bernama
