ROHINGYA REFUGEES HAVE NOT ENTERED SINGAPORE

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, March 24 (Bernama) -- Singapore authorities have so far not encountered any Rohingya refugee seeking to enter the island republic's waters, its Parliament was told Tuesday.

Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Balaji Sadasivan said, as a
responsible government, Singapore would treat the Rohingyas and other illegal
migrants in a humane manner if they came to its shores.

The minister said the government would also alleviate their plight where
possible, including for naval vessels which encountered Rohingyas at sea to
render appropriate assistance such as by providing food, water and fuel.

Balaji was replying to questions raised by members of parliament who asked
the government how the Rohingyas would be treated if they were caught trying to
seek refuge in Singapore, and whether they would be brought to court and face
caning, like all other illegal immigrants.

He said, during the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)
leaders meeting in Thailand, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told his Asean
colleagues that the humanitarian angle must be addressed seriously.

"As a small country, Singapore understands why countries are not in a
position to accept every refugee who arrives on their shores.

"Given our limited land and natural resources, Singapore is not in a
position to accept persons seeking political asylum or refugee status," Balaji
said, adding that it had been Singapore's policy for decades.

-- BERNAMA