March 17, 2017
Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reaffirmed the country’s strong support for the Rohingya community on Thursday and said Myanmar must be prepared to accept the Muslims as their citizens.
“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 Rohingyas.
Hamidi said while ASEAN members remain dedicated to the no interference policy in the domestic matters of member states, Myanmar’s policy of carrying out atrocities against the Rohingyas is contrary to the spirit of the organisation.
In a strong break from conventional ASEAN policy, Malaysia has lent unprecedented support for the beleaguered Rohingya minority. Other member states have however been less willing to condemn gross violations of human rights carried out by the Tatmadaw.
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.
Hamidi, an ardent sympathiser for the Rohingya people expressed disappointment with continuing violence in Arakan and called upon Myanmar to stop.
The conference also proposed dialogue with the Tatmadaw to convince them to stop killing Rohingyas.
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.
The 14 resolutions were handed to Hamidi, who urged the delegates to follow through with their governments.
Meanwhile British Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) also requested the Malaysian government to continue support for the Rohingyas. The president of the organisation Maung Tun Khin also spoke at the conference.
