DPM: ROHINGYA REFUGEES NEED YOUR HELP
Zahid shares his experience visiting Cox’s Bazar camps while asking group to continue aiding the persecuted
MUHD IZAWAN BAHARIN ISTANBUL news@nst.com.my
DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi shared his observation of Rohingya camps that he recently visited in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, with leaders of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) here yesterday.
Zahid, who is the first senior leader from Southeast Asia to visit the Kutupalong refugee camp, also asserted the need to implement recommendations by the Advisory Commission of the Rakhine State so that the economic aspects of the Rohingya community could be improved.
The three-day D-8 summit ended yesterday and was hosted by Turkey.
It was attended by leaders from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt and Nigeria. The closing speech was delivered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Zahid said the situation of the Rohingya refugees was tragic and hoped that D-8 members would continue to provide humanitarian aid.
“I commend the assistance given by the government of Bangladesh to the Rohingya refugees and on the Malaysian side, we will build a field hospital at Cox’s Bazaar to provide medical assistance.
“The hospital is expected to be completed within a month after my visit on Oct 16.”
He also said the tourism industry was one area that needed to be emphasised to strengthen the economy of D-8 countries.
“Tourism is Malaysia’s second highest revenue, generating US$19.5 billion (RM82.3 billion) last year. The revenue from this industry contributes to the diversification of Malaysian economic resources, including providing opportunities for its people.
“Due to that, I believe D-8 countries should leverage and increase their investment in this industry. We need to invest more in infrastructure development and improve the tourism network as it could greatly benefit D-8 members,” he said.
Zahid said D-8 countries had the advantage of attracting tourists because of their vast diversity in culture, geography and historical heritage.
He said in recognising the huge potential of tourism, Malaysia would host the second D-8 meeting of tourism ministers in Kuala Lumpur from April 10 to 13.