Malaysia urges D-8 to help Rohingya
ISTANBUL: Malaysia has called on the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) to help the Rohingya community “in whatever way possible”.
In making the call, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman also urged D-8 to address the community’s socio-economic plight.
He said the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State had, in its final report, identified the economic and social development aspects of the Rohingya crisis.
“We believe that the implementation of the recommendations in the report will improve their socio-economic situation.
“However, socio-economic development is only possible if there is political stability, as they are inextricably linked, the latter being a prerequisite for socioeconomic development,” he said at the 17th Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers here yesterday.
He said to tackle the issue, the Myanmar government must allow humanitarian assistance unimpeded access in crisis zones.
“In this regard, Malaysia commends Bangladesh for sheltering the Rohingya refugees,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrived in Istanbul last night to lead the Malaysian delegation today.
The D-8 Organisation was established on June 15, 1997, here as a mechanism for economic cooperation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia.