Govt to send protest note to ambassador, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will be sending a protest note to the ambassador of Myanmar to protest against the atrocities occurring in Rakhine.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision was made during the weekly cabinet meeting on Friday.

“As a member of the Asean bloc, we cannot interfere with the internal affairs of other member countries.

“But, at the same time, we want the world to know that Malaysia is deeply concerned about the matter,” he said at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris’s Malam Jalinan Kasih Suluh Budiman alumni dinner last night.

He said a large-scale gathering would be held on Dec 4 at 9am, to show solidarity with the plight of Muslims and Rohingya there.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and I, and even Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang will be present.

“We will put aside our political differences for the sake of the ummah and Islam,” he said, extending the invitation to PKR and Parti Amanah Negara leaders.

Zahid called upon the alumni and other Islamic nongovernmental organisations to take part.

He said the venue of the gathering would be announced soon.

“We know that Malaysians are concerned with what’s happening to the Rohingya.

“I know that Media Prima has started its Rohingya humanitarian fund, and I urge other news agencies to follow suit.”

He said the alleged ethnic cleansing should not happen in today’s civilised world.

On the request by several parties to strip Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi of her Nobel Peace Prize, Zahid said it would be discussed during the Dec 4 gathering.

“When a Nobel Peace Prize award is given (to her) but she cannot maintain peace in her own country, then the award can be questioned.

“Even though this is happening in Myanmar, ‘cubit paha kanan, paha kiri terasa sakit juga’ (when loved one is in pain, you suffer too).”