Accept Rohingya minority as citizens, DPM urges Myanmar

PUTRA JAYA: The way the Myanmar military is treating the Rohingya there has put the country at odds with the principles of Asean, says Malaysia.

Although the grouping is committed to non-interference in each other’s affairs, the Rohingya issue is “truly opposite from the spirit, principles and objectives of Asean,” said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) yesterday.

“Our friends in Myanmar must stop all this madness and prove to Asean that they can accept the Muslim minority Rohingya as their citizens,” he said in closing a three-day International Conference on the Rohingya here yesterday.

The conference, attended by about 1,000 participants comprising government officials, diplomats and NGOs from Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Sudan, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and India, was themed “Plight of The Rohingya: Searching for Solutions.”

It was held to analyse issues affecting the ethnic group and the geopolitical effect and to look for long-term strategic solutions, among other reasons.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who has been outspoken on the plight of the Rohingya, said he was disappointed that violence still ruled Rakhine.

“We call for an end to the atrocities in Rakhine as soon as possible. What they are doing to the Muslims is unacceptable.

“Myanmar should end the crisis immediately. They must stop the killings, burning of houses and end violations against women and girls,” he pleaded.

Kelab Putra 1Malaysia led by Datuk Seri Azeez Rahim, with the collaboration of local and international NGOs sent aid comprising food and medical supplies as well as other essentials to Myanmar, he added.

“Malaysia will continue to assist the Rohingya and we hope the international community will also extend a helping hand,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid.

The conference also proposed that Myanmar’s military be “engaged” for it to soften its stand on the ethnic group.

It also called for a special fund to be set up to aid the community, with the initial contribution coming from the Organisation of Islamic Conference member nations.

Another resolution called for the international community to look into the plight of the Rohingya and for a joint task force to be set up to combat human trafficking involving the ethnic group.

The 14 resolutions were handed to the DPM, who urged the delegates to follow through with their governments.

The Rohingya are Muslim Indo-Aryan people from Rakhine State.

The official stance of the Myanmar government has been that the Rohingya are mainly illegal immigrants who migrated into Arakan following Burmese independence in 1948 or after the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971.

The conference was organised by the Home Ministry, Institute of Public Security and three NGOs – Yayasan Amal Malaysia, International Union for Muslim Scholars and Malaysian chapter of International Federation for Relief and Development.