Myanmar should take responsibiity to solve Rohingya ethnic issue

He said the matter was needed so that other ASEAN member nations were not burdened by the problem of Rohingya illegal immigrants in their countries.

"What is the responsibility of the Myanmar government ... is there any humanitarian aspect for them to solve this matter internally.

"Eventually the burden will be borne by ASEAN countries neigbouring Myanmar," he told a a news conference after officiating the DRB-Hicom Tan Sri Muhyiddin (TSM) Golf Challenge here today.

He was asked to comment on Malaysia's stand on the Rohingya ethnic issue in Malaysia.

According to Muhyiddin, the government seriously viewed the issue involving Rohingya refugees in Malaysia and hoped the Foreign Ministry could address the matter wisely.

Subsequently, he said the cabinet had decided that Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman held discussions with the countries involved, including Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand to find a solution to the issue.

"This is a big issue for us because it concerns national security and humanitarian issues...the cabinet has discussed this issue seriously and we have decided that the foreign ministers of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand liaise with Myanmar to discuss it.

"We want their (Rohingya) influx to be under control before it becomes a big burden to the country as it is understood that thousands have come here (Malaysia).

"This should be the responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) but it seems that their responsibility is not that effective," he said.

Muhyiddin said should the matter was not being addressed, the government was concerned that the influx of Rohingya illegal immigrants would bring about a negative impact on the country.

"We do not want to give the wrong signal to this group, if they are being treated accordingly, we are worried that thousands more will land on our shores," he said.