Malaysian PM orders rescue of migrants adrift at sea

Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak has said he ordered the navy to rescue thousands of migrants adrift at sea, as a Thai official said Burma (Myanmar) had agreed to attend an emergency conference on the crisis.

Diplomats say Burma has up to now resisted calls to take part in meetings on the stranded “boat people”, many of them Rohingya Muslims who have long complained of discrimination in Burma.

The apparent shift in its position came after Malaysia and Indonesia’s foreign ministers held talks with senior officials in Burma yesterday. Western powers and aid groups have also urged Burma to increase its involvement, and called on regional powers to do more.

The crisis has seen thousands of migrants, also including Bangladeshis fleeing persecution and poverty at home, pushed back out to sea by Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Many now face sickness, and possible starvation, say aid groups. “We have to prevent loss of life,” said Mr Najib, adding that humanitarian aid would be delivered by land and sea. – (Reuters)