KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A few groups of Malaysians have
begun gathering supplies to help the thousands of refugees adrift out at sea,
despite Putrajaya’s decision to turn away any seaworthy boat carrying the
mostly Rohingya Muslims from Malaysia’s maritime border.
The groups have already mobilised collection of food items
and medical supplies, and are now working on securing the necessary clearance
from the authorities to deliver the aid.
“The problem now is if the ship is either in international
waters or Thai waters, we do not know for certain,” social activist Azrul Mohd
Khalib told Malay Mail Online when contacted yesterday.
“If it’s international waters it would be easier for us to
deliver supplies and all but if Thai waters, it would be more problematic,” he
added.
Azrul said there are also plans to set up base in Langkawi,
being the nearest point to reach the refugees, apart from using helicopters to
airdrop medical supplies.
He added that MERCY Malaysia might launch an initiative to
help deliver supplies as well, and urged any group planning to distribute aid
to coordinate with them.
Other prominent social activists who have started to
mobilise to help the refugees out include Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir,
daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
She started a Facebook thread on her page this morning which
has already garnered over 1000 likes,
200 shares and lots of comments from Malaysians chipping in to help.
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