ASIAN LEADERS PILE PRESSURE ON MYANMAR
Public anger over the treatment of Rohingya threatens diplomatic relations
THE growing crisis on the treatment of the Rohingya is threatening Myanmar’s diplomatic relations, particularly with Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia, where there is profound public anger over the issue.
The criticism was aimed at Myanmar and its civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
De facto leader Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner of Myanmar’s junta, has come under increasing fire over her perceived unwillingness to speak out against the treatment of the Rohingya or chastise the military.
She has made no public comment since the latest fighting broke out.
Malaysia ha s se en pu blic protests since the latest round of Rakhine violence began in August.
“We urge for calm and restraint,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tweeted.
“The dire situation facing our Rohingya brothers and sisters must be alleviated for good of Myanmar and region.”
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Suu Kyi as well as Myanmar’s army chief General Min Aung Hlaing here yesterday in a bid to pressure the government to do more to alleviate the crisis.
“Once again, violence, this humanitarian crisis, has to stop immediately,” Indonesian president Joko Widodo said on Sunday as he announced Retno’s mission.
Hours before Joko spoke, a petrol bomb was thrown at Myanmar’s embassy in Jakarta while police there previously dismantled two attempts by Islamist militants to bomb the compound.
Dozens demonstrated in front of the embassy yesterday, where armed police were deployed and the mission cordoned off behind barbed wire.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry released a statement saying it was “deeply concerned over reports of growing number of deaths and forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims” and urged Myanmar to investigate reports of atrocities against the community.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted: “Global silence on continuing violence against #Rohingya Muslims. Int’l action crucial to prevent further ethnic cleansing — UN must rally.”