Anifah to meet Suu Kyi soon
KUALA LUMPUR: Calls for intervention grew louder as reports of more violence poured in from Rakhine State in Myanmar.
Rohingya refugees in Malaysia claimed that attacks continued over the last few days and with Bangladesh preventing those fleeing from entering the country, things could worsen.
Growing concerns have moved Malaysia to engage its Asean counterpart as Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman is expected to meet Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Malaysia condemned the escalating violence and called on parties involved to refrain from taking any action that would aggravate the situation.
Anifah was directed to meet Suu Kyi as soon as possible by the cabinet on Friday. The same day, the ministry’s Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Shahrul Ikram Yakob also met Myanmar Ambassador to Malaysia U Zaw Myint.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said steps would be taken for a “constructive and engaging” stance to deal with the matter.
“We will voice out when we hear of minorities being oppressed, displaced or violated,” he said.
Suu Kyi had agreed to form the Rakhine State Advisory Commission in cooperation with the Kofi
Annan Foundation in August.
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, in a dialogue during the 2016 Kuala Lumpur International Youth Discourse, described Malaysia’s stand as a strong response to the allegations.
Malaysia’s condemnation of the violence through the Foreign Ministry’s statement and summoning the Myanmar ambassador to Wisma Putra were considered strong diplomatic stands, he said.
In Penang, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said Muslims worldwide were concerned.
“Islam teaches its followers the spirit of brotherhood. The compassionate nature of the Islamic community means it feels saddened when a member falls sick,” he said during a Special Leadership Appreciation Awards presentation for Fardhu Ain and Kifayah Teachers, Religious Officers and the Penang State Mosque at Universiti Teknologi Mara campus in Permatang Pauh.