DCM AND MFA OFFICIAL DISCUSS BURMA ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000459

SIPDIS

FOR EAP/MTS AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM BM MY
SUBJECT: DCM AND MFA OFFICIAL DISCUSS BURMA ISSUES

REF: KUALA LUMPUR 391 -- MALAYSIA URGES ASSK'S RELEASE

Classified By: CDA Robert Rapson for reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (C) Summary: The Malaysian Foreign Ministry official
responsible for mainland Southeast Asia told the DCM May 29
that Malaysia viewed implementation of the Burmese regime's
"roadmap to democracy" as a way forward, and discussed the
challenges of making headway on the Rohingya refugee/migrant
issue. Sadik noted the GOM's commitment to look into
allegations of trafficking of refugees and the GOM's desire
for more information from the U.S. Senate. The DCM
questioned the utility of Burma's "roadmap," urged Malaysia
to continue to press the regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi,
and noted the seriousness of the trafficking allegations
against Malaysian officials. End Summary.


2. (C) Deputy Chief of Mission Rapson and Poloff called on
Mohamad Sadik Gany, the MFA's Under Secretary for Burma,
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Oceana on May 29, with the
discussion focusing mostly on Burma. Sadik suggested that
the best way forward in Burma was to allow the regime to
implement the "roadmap to democracy" as it would eventually
lead to a legitimate government. The DCM raised questions
about the validity of such an approach, reminding that the
regime had conducted its referendum on the roadmap last year
in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Nargis,
hardly the time to be polling the populace on such an
important and controversial initiative. Regarding Aung San
Suu Kyi's (ASSK) recent arrest, Sadik opined that "Burmese
security may have been aware of the swimmer," so it was
unclear why she was being charged. The DCM encouraged
Malaysia to continue publicly and privately to urge the
regime to release ASSK. Sadik commented that while Malaysia
was opposed to the Myanmar government,s actions against
ASSK, it was highly unlikely that ASEAN would consider
expelling Burma from the organization, as some were
suggesting in the international press. He suggested that
continued engagement with the military leadership was the
only real option available.


3. (C) On the subject of Rohingya refugee/migrant flows to
Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Sadik said that when the
MFA raises this issue, Burmese officials deny the Rohingya
are Burmese nationals (as they did during previous ASEAN
meetings). ASEAN is making greater effort on this issue than
is reported in the press, Sadik claimed, but its collective
actions are still uncoordinated and problematic. Regarding
Burmese refugees/migrants in Malaysia, Sadik recognized that
there are other ethnic groups, not just the Rohingya, who
face the same challenges. The GOM finds it difficult to
repatriate the Burmese because most do not have supporting
documentation indicating their nationality or country of
origin. Sadik pointed out the GOM tacitly allows many
Burmese to remain in Malaysia, rather than summarily
deporting them. The DCM acknowledged the refugee burden and
challenges Malaysia faces, and said the Burmese regime should
be held fully accountable for these cross-border problems,
among others, it is causing for its ASEAN neighbors.


4. (C) In order to better combat trafficking in persons
(TIP),Sadik noted that the MFA has been working closely with
the Immigration Department, which is taking the recent
allegations in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
report "very seriously." Sadik stated that the Director
General of Immigration was "furious" and wanted to get to the
root of the problem. According to Sadik, U.S. Senate
committee staff had indicated to the past Director General
that more information would be forthcoming regarding the
alleged involvement of Malaysian officials, but so far the
GOM has not received additional details. The DCM underscored
that ample information on the allegations had already been
provided in the Senate report and by various NGO's, which
should be sufficient for Malaysian authorities to launch and
pursue a rigorous investigation.
RAPSON