DPM: Asean leaders support Malaysia’s stand

Warm ties: Dr Ahmad Zahid sharing a light moment with Sieng Lapresse, a Cambodian senior official, as they walk to the main stage to have pictures taken, at the AMMTC meeting in Manila. — Bernama

MANILA: Malaysia has strongly questioned the manner in which Myanmar is addressing the Rohingya issue, saying that the country had denied permission for the international community to provide humanitarian aid to the ethnic group and, more disappointingly, killed Rohingya women and children as well.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia had no intention of meddling in Myanmar’s domestic affairs but it could not accept the country’s crackdown on the Rohingya and wanted the issue to be resolved in a democratic way and in accordance with international standards.

“The question of security is their domestic matter, and Malaysia has no intention to interfere. However, as a country progressing towards democracy, it should implement the democratic system,” he said to Malaysian journalists here at the conclusion of the 11th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Trans­national Crime (AMMTC) yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said his spontaneous statement reflected the official view of the Malaysian Government and people.

The Myanmar representatives to the meeting had spoken justifying the military action against the Rohingya whom they branded as terrorists and militants.

“I cannot accept that situation. I asked (at the meeting) whether women and children are also classified as militants.”

Dr Ahmad Zahid made the statement on the sidelines of the Second Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism in conjunction with the 11th AMMTC here.

He hoped Myanmar would be able to better address the issue and treat the ethnic Rohingya, particularly the women and children, “as human beings and not as animals”.

Asked about Myanmar’s reaction to his statement, Ahmad Zahid said he did not see any sign of remorse in the Myanmar leaders but the statement drew positive reaction from the other Asean countries.

“Although they did not issue any statement after I delivered my statement, they contacted me personally and expressed their support,” he said, adding that his statement reflected the unannounced views of the other Asean leaders.

On transnational crime, he said, the meeting achieved several major decisions not only on sharing of intelligence information, but also taking drastic action on the prevention and combating of crime through cooperation among the Asean countries. — Bernama