WASHINGTON DC: Malaysia needs more funding to assist Myanmar refugees in the country, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (pic).

       He said Putrajaya was looking at providing education and employment opportunities for 200,000 Myanmar and 150,000 Rohingya refugees in Malaysia.

       “There are 48 alternative learning centres (ALCs) set up by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that could support the education of only 25% of refugees’ children, due to limited funding,” Bernama quoted him as saying here on Saturday.

       Speaking to the media after an informal meeting with Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung here, Saifuddin said Malaysia had asked third countries, including the United States, to provide financial assistance.

       In fact, he said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob raised the matter when meeting US President Joe Biden and Asean leaders at the just-concluded Asean-US Special Summit here.

       “At the moment, we receive financial assistance from the Qatar Foundation to help some of the ALCs,” said the minister.

       Myanmar has been under the military junta rule following the Feb 1, 2021, coup that overthrew a democratically-elected government.

       The junta failed to commit to the Five-Point Consensus, reached between Asean leaders and junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hliang in April 2021.

       Saifuddin said that Asean needed to be more creative following the lack of progress after one year with the junta having failed to honour its commitment.