Make changes to queue system

THE world must not turn a blind eye to the ongoing atrocities against ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar, which have intensified in recent weeks. With the new humanitarian crisis unfolding in Myanmar, the global community must take a united stand to put a stop to the brutality of Myanmar’s military troops in Rakhine state, which houses some one million Rohingya.

It was reported that since last month, more than 130 Rohingya have been killed and 30,000 displaced, with satellite images released by Human Rights Watch showing hundreds of houses in their villages burnt down.

Escaping Rohingya at the Bangladesh border claimed that Myanmar troops were killing men by shooting them, slaughtering children, raping women, burning and looting houses, and forcing others to cross the river into Bangladesh.

To make matters worse, most humanitarian assistance has been cut off to the area as aid workers are not allowed access to the affected areas.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 120,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine since the previous bloody riot in 2012, with many braving a treacherous sea journey to Malaysia.

The latest atrocity is turning into an ethnic cleansing of minority Rohingya by the Myammar military, following decades of suffering from isolation and segregation, stigmatisation, dehumanisation, harassment, violence and terror.

According to Amnesty International, Muslim Rohingya have continued to suffer from human rights violations under the junta since 1978. However, it is said that the Rohingya, who have been living in Myanmar for many generations, have been discriminated against and harassed for much earlier due to tensions with the Buddhist majority in Myanmar.

It is sad to know that the Rohingya, despite residing in Myanmar for decades, are treated as illegal immigrants and denied citizenship, with laws restricting marriages and their children not being issued birth certificates. One cannot imagine their deplorable living conditions, with children having no access to proper education.

It is also baffling that Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s de facto leader, has remained remarkably silent on the humanitarian crisis in her country.

The failure of Suu Kyi, who is also a global human rights icon and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to protect the Rohingya against military violence is seen by some as “legitimising the genocide”. It could also be that she is unwilling or unable to control Myanmar’s armed forces.

Last Friday, tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Dhaka to condemn the atrocities being committed against the Rohingya community in Rakhine state.

Although our government decided not to withdraw our football team from the AFF Suzuki Cup cohosted by Myanmar, the government is pursuing other avenues to pressure Myanmar to stop the violence against the Rohingya. The Foreign Affairs Ministry had issued a statement denouncing the atroc- ities and will summon the Myanmar ambassador to Malaysia over the crisis. Its minister, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, will also meet with Suu Kyi and other top Myanmar officials soon.

While our government is taking initiatives through diplomatic channels, I call on all peace-loving citizens in Malaysia, non-governmental organisations, youth associations, political and non-political bodies to rally against the brutality committed by Myanmar troops.

If need be, peaceful demonstrations should be held every week to protest against the violence in Myanmar.

The international community, particularly countries that speak so much about human rights, must come forward to cease the atrocities in Myanmar and alleviate the sufferings of the Rohingya community. The violence against the Rohingya and their exodus from Myanmar need to be handled with the cooperation of the international community.

Unlike their governments, media in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries are strongly condemning the genocide in Myanmar and are pressuring Suu Kyi to do something about it.

It is time that their governments listen to the people’s voice and take action.

If necessary, economic sanctions should be reapplied to Myanmar. While state-sponsored violence towards the Rohingya community has been going on for years, many countries and foreign investors I ONCE accompanied a relative to a government health clinic. We had to leave early as parking was limited, otherwise you had to walk quite a distance.

The scene in the waiting room was calm and peaceful.

Though we reached there at 7.10am, there was already a sizeable crowd.

Some were busy checking their smartphones while others were reading the papers or chatting away.

When the clock struck 7.30am and the shutters opened, all hell broke loose.

People were scrambling, making a beeline for the service counter. Those who were there earlier were in for a total shock.

Unscrupulous patients who came later made a mad dash, bypassing the elderly, mothers with young children and those who were there before them. They only cared about themselves.

I was told that previously, patients continue to invest in and maintain trade with Myanmar. Multilateral institutions, like the World Bank, Asia Development Bank and European Union, had increased their development support for Myanmar who came early could put in their appointment cards/IC in a box, one on top of the other, to be processed by the counter staff.

As usual, there would be some who would come later and slot their cards in front of others.

What are we teaching our children? Do we not respect the elderly and those who have been waiting in line?

The hospital authorities can stop this by dispensing numbers as they do at banks.

Normally there are three groups requiring attention:

THOSE there for blood tests (a); DOCTOR’S appointments (b); and, WALK-IN patients (c).

Just press the button (a), (b) or (c) for the number, then sit and wait for your turn.

The situation could be handled easily if everyone gave some thought for others.