4 held in Myanmar embassy rally
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 1,000 people held a demonstration yesterday in front of the Myanmar embassy here to protest against atrocities against the country’s Rohingya Muslims.
The group, comprising members of a coalition of 42 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and Rohingya, held the demonstration after Friday prayers after walking 2.6km from the Tabung Haji mosque. They decried the escalating violence in Rakhine State in northern Myanmar, where a military crackdown since last month has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 86 Rohingya.
The participating organisations were Umno Youth, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia, Pertubuhan Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia and Pertubuhan Permuafakatan Majlis Ayahanda Malaysia.
When they reached Jalan Madge, near the embassy, they were stopped by police. As emotions were running high, a group of men believed to be Rohingya tried to break through the police blockade, but this proved futile.
City police chief Datuk Amar Singh said three Rohingya men and a Malaysian man were detained for investigations under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
“The Rohingya were arrested, as under the act, foreigners are prohibited from participating in any assembly, while the Malaysian man was arrested because he tried to provoke a situation.”
Red Shirts leader Datuk Seri Jamal Mohd Yunos and four other representatives later sent a memorandum to the embassy urging the Myanmar government to put an end to the persecution of the Rohingya.
“I am sad about what has happened there (Myanmar), where Muslims have been killed ruthlessly. On behalf of other participants today (yesterday), I urge the Malaysian government to sever diplomatic relations with the government of Myanmar,” he said.
Present were Deputy Umno Youth chief Khairul Azwan Harun and executive committee member Datuk Armand Azha Abu Hanifah.