Rohingya, security top Sydney talks

SYDNEY: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has encouraged Asean leaders to work more closely with their Australian counterparts to help secure peace in the IndoPacific region amid challenges including the Rohingya refugee crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The plight of several thousand members of this Muslim ethnic group was highlighted on the last day of the Asean-Australia Special Summit, which became heated yesterday when participants considered the problem in the context of increasing transnational terrorism.

Their concerns followed the exodus of 700,000 Rohingya from impoverished areas in Rakhine state in western Myanmar to Bangladesh after Nay Pyi Taw, in August last year, launched a crackdown on Rohingya insurgents, a clash which led to mass killings.

Thailand, Malaysia and Australia are also seen as safe havens for the Rohingya.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the migration of the Rohingya could become a new regional threat as many Muslims may resort to violence amid desperation.

Gen Prayut also showed concern about the risk of rising extremism. He described the Rohingya as a major transboundary threat and a hindrance to efforts to build regional peace.

Parts of his speech from the summit were quoted by deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak, who said Gen Prayut wants Asean and Australia to cooperate more closely against terrorist movements.

One such measure would be enhanced exchanges of intelligence, Lt Gen Werachon said.

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, Gen Prayut said he also raised the Rohingya problem during a talk with Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and offered to help.

It is not unclear what joint solutions they could offer, however, as the bloc is known for its strict rule of not intervening in the political affairs of its members.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull admitted the issue was a complex one but remained optimistic, saying all countries support efforts to end the longrunning conflict in Myanmar.

Gen Prayut also urged Asean and Australia to boost digital security protocols.

The Thai prime minister wants to see Asean members work with Australia in developing better online security to thwart hackers and terrorists, according to Lt Gen Werachon.

During the two-day summit, the top leaders agreed to support the Asean-Australia Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism amid increasing threats including the use of the Dark Web, a network of unindexed sites, to hide secret information and advantage terrorist groups.

Gen Prayut also stressed the need to boost the regional economy by capitalising on the friendly ties between Asean and Australia, according to Lt Gen Werachon.

More infrastructure facilities and logistical developments must be made for microsmall and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, he said.

Such firms play an important role in driving the economy forward by employing unskilled workers and fuelling international trade, the leaders said.