Ex-MP Charles Santiago warned that proceeding with the repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar without adequate protection could damage Malaysia’s international standing. PETALING JAYA : Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has questioned the proposed return of 5,000 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, warning that they could be sent back to the same persecution and violence that they fled. Santiago said Myanmar remained engulfed in armed conflict, while the Rohingya continued to face persecution, statelessness and serious human rights abuses. “Malaysia cannot, in good conscience, celebrate the return of 5,000 Rohingya to Myanmar without first answering one fundamental question: return them to what? Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Myanmar had agreed to accept an initial 5,000 Rohingya refugees from Malaysia following negotiations between the two countries.