Time for Asean to review non-interference policy in light of Rohingya issue

KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) should review its non-interference policy as a first step to resolving the Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, said Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) chief executive officer Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
He added that the recent issue where thousands of Rohingya refugees were left stranded at sea by human traffickers should be seen as a clear indicator for Asean nations to break their silence over the policy.
"The non-interference policy is an old idea," Saifuddin said in a press conference after a roundtable discussion on Bangladeshis and Rohingya Muslims at GMM's office here.
He said if several amendments could be done to the policy, it would allow certain important issues to be brought up among Asean member countries.
The same idea was mooted by the National Organising Committee of the Asean Civil Society co-chair Yap Swee Seng earlier in the discussion.
Yap said it is about time Asean address this problem at the root instead of turning away from it.
"It is time for Asean to review the non-interference policy. The issue of Rohingyas does not only impact Myanmar, but has brought implications to other countries as well," he said.
"Reviewing the policy is important if Asean wants to remain relevant in the region," he added.
He added that Malaysia as the chair of Asean this year should consider sending a fact-finding mission to look into the actual issue.
Malaysia must also take the opportunity to address this issue at the next Asean Summit, he added.