The boat people

This refers to the editorial, ‘The boat people’ (May 23). The Philippines has announced that it is ready to help thousands of stateless, seaborne, stranded Rohingyas. Both Indonesia and Malaysia with their robust and stable economies have refused to rescue these unfortunate, starving souls who are fighting for their lives while water and food have almost finished on their boats.
This is a real crisis. Where are the UN, UNHCR, Asean and the OIC? Other than sending out help messages, both the UN and the UNHCR have done nothing much to prevent this catastrophe. We know the west has its own business interests in Myanmar. But this does not mean closing your eyes on the sort of brutality going on in Myanmar in the name of nationalism. The Rohingya have been living in Myanmar for centuries. In 1982, the Myanmar’s Communist regime stripped them of citizenship. But the isolated communist regime is now a thing of the past. Myanmar’s commitment towards democracy has opened up doors for trade with the outside world – including the western countries. There is no point in expecting any helping hand from the Muslim world nor does Myanmar feel any real economic threat from Muslim countries. Therefore, someone with the leverage of trade links should come forward and let better sense prevail.
Masood Khan
Jubail
Saudi Arabia