Inept to cut diplomatic ties with Myanmar — Reezal

THE PROPOSAL by certain quarters to cut diplomatic ties with Myanmar is inept as this will only limit the opportunity for the country to continue sending aid to Rohingya ethnic community, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.

“If diplomatic relations is severed it will narrow down our chance and ability to help the oppressed ethnic group. “Similarly the NGOs (nongovernmental organisations) may also not be allowed into the area,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

He said Malaysia would continue to voice concerns and insistence at international platforms such as the United Nations ( UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC) to enable major powers to help resolve the Rohingya issue.

On proposals for the government to withdraw investments and trade of government-linked companies ( GLCs) and government-linked investment companies ( GLICs) in Myanmar following Rohingya humanitarian issue, Reezal Merican said the action was only described as unilateral and would have no major impact on the issue.

“We have conducted a study, if we take a unilateral action, sometimes this will not have a positive impact on what we want to achieve,” he said, adding that what was more important now was for Malaysia to provide assistance to the ethnic Rohingya refugees. — Bernama