KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the migrant issue in the region must be resolved at the Asean level with the assistance from other countries and international bodies.
He expressed his concern over the discovery of graves of alleged human trafficking victims along the Perlis-Thailand border, and called for action to be taken against those responsible.
“I am deeply concerned by the plight of the Rohingya migrants trying to reach our shores.
“I was particularly shocked by the discovery of graves of alleged victims of people smugglers along the Perlis-Thailand border.
“The migrant issue should be resolved at the Asean level, with assistance from other countries and international bodies as needed.
He implored participants in the meeting to share their thoughts openly to help resolve pressing cases.
“Over the next two days, I encourage you to engage in frank and robust discussions about the key challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region,” he said at the official opening of 29th Asia-Pacific Roundtable at Hilton Kuala Lumpur.
Present were Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Asean Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Asean-ISIS) chairman Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy and ISIS Malaysia chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa.