Rohingya blame game: PAS leader accuses Anwar of 'amnesia'

A PAS leader has hit back at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with a string of links to reports, after the premier blamed his predecessor Najib Abdul Razak and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for welcoming Rohingya refugees, leaving his government to deal with the consequences.

Questioning whether Anwar was suffering from amnesia, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who, among others, cited a Malaysiakini article from April 2020, said it was unfortunate that the prime minister blamed others whenever problems arose.

“On the Rohingya issue, PMX (Anwar) blamed the government led by Najib as well as the PAS president - as though PAS was also part of that government - for welcoming the arrival of Rohingya refugees.

“PMX has perhaps forgotten that he himself made numerous statements welcoming the arrival of Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds,” he said, furnishing a list of reports, including one in which Anwar urged the country's leadership not to be afraid to defend the Rohingya on humanitarian grounds.

Fadhli (above) pointed out that while Anwar was in the opposition, he had urged the government to defend the Rohingya on humanitarian grounds and had even criticised it for failing to be sufficiently humanitarian.

“Then, suddenly, when you became the government, you criticised the previous government for being overly welcoming towards the Rohingya.

“What is actually wrong with you? Or have you lost your memory and developed amnesia? If so, you need to seek treatment immediately,” he added in a social media post.

Fadhli also suggested that Anwar should step aside and allow others to take over the government if he was unable to deal with the issue.

Blame game

Anwar had addressed the matter during a podcast yesterday amid growing anti-immigrant sentiment on social media, particularly towards Rohingya communities, with users raising concerns over their presence, alleged misconduct and impact on local livelihoods.

“Remember, the previous government invited them. It held a major rally welcoming them, which naturally encouraged them. They came here, and now we have to expel them.

“They were welcomed. There was a major rally. I hope social media users will replay the speeches made by the leaders at the time, including PAS leaders.

“I am the one being blamed, even though others brought them here. What kind of situation is this?” he asked.

Anwar (above) was referring to the Ummah Solidarity Rally for Rohingya held in Kuala Lumpur in December 2016, which both Najib and Hadi attended.

The prime minister also said he had recently informed the cabinet and Home Ministry of his intention to invite Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing for an official visit to Malaysia.

He said the invitation was aimed at advancing negotiations for Myanmar to accept Rohingya refugees in stages.

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