Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday emphasized the need for an urgent and international resolution to the Rohingya crisis, stating that the responsibility lies with the global community, not Bangladesh alone. Speaking during a joint press briefing with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Dhaka, Yunus underscored the importance of collective efforts to resolve the issue.

“We will continue raising the matter, and Malaysia will support us. We can’t wait indefinitely—this is something we must resolve as soon as possible,” Yunus said in response to a question from UNB. The Nobel Peace Laureate also highlighted that the Rohingya crisis affects Malaysia, albeit to a lesser extent, and that both countries are working through ASEAN and international platforms to find a solution.

Malaysia is set to take over the ASEAN chairmanship in January 2025, a role that could help drive diplomatic efforts. Yunus pointed out the alarming situation with the birth of around 32,000 new Rohingya children each year over the past seven years, adding to the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees currently hosted in Bangladesh. He stressed that the growing generation of displaced youth, without a clear future, represents a “ticking time bomb.”

“This new generation is growing up angry and without opportunities. The world must be concerned about this,” Yunus warned, further mentioning the continuous arrival of new Rohingya refugees as an added strain.

During their meeting, Yunus expressed confidence that Malaysia would continue to support Bangladesh in seeking a global resolution through ASEAN and international bodies. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim voiced solidarity with Bangladesh's efforts.

Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees since August 2017, when nearly 700,000 fled Myanmar. In 2024, humanitarian agencies appealed for $852 million to support Rohingya refugees and local communities, but the effort remains underfunded, according to the UNHCR.

Earlier, Yunus and Anwar held a brief one-on-one meeting at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before their bilateral talks at Hotel InterContinental.

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