Foreign Ministry to summon Myanmar envoy over Rohingya-linked violence

Members of the Hokars Sromik Andolan party attend a protest against the recent attacks on the Rohingyas in Arakan in Myanmar, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 22 November 2016. - EPA

PETALING JAYA: The Foreign Ministry will summon the Myanmar ambassador over allegations of violence against ethnic Rohingyas in Rakhine state there.

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia will meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister of Myanmar, at the earliest possible date," said the ministry in a statement Friday.

It said Malaysia condemns the escalation of violence that has resulted in the loss of innocent lives and displacement of people.

The Cabinet discussed Friday the current situation in the Myanmar state, it added.

"Malaysia calls on all parties involved in the recent violence to refrain from taking any actions which would aggravate the situation further, and Malaysia also calls on the Government of Myanmar to address the alleged ethnic cleansing in the northern Rakhine State," said the ministry.

It was earlier reported that the Cabinet decided not to withdraw the Malaysian football team from the ongoing AFF Suzuki Cup tournament being held in Myanmar.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the Government will use other means to protest against the alleged atrocities against Rohingyas in Rakhine.