NGOs slam Dr M for not joining rally
KUALA LUMPUR: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) yesterday lambasted Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for not supporting the Rohingya solidarity rally here on Sunday.
Sekretariat Ulama Umarak Malaysia honorary secretary Roslan Ngah said Dr Mahathir had, instead, criticised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for attending the rally.
“He (Dr Mahathir) chose to attend the DAP convention, a party which does not recognise Malaysia as a Muslim country.
“Maybe due to his age, he is unable to differentiate the recent Bersih 5 demonstration from the rally for the Rohingya, which had a police permit and followed the peaceful assembly law,” he said yesterday.
Tens of thousands of people attended the rally at Titiwangsa Stadium.
Najib was joined by Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and other Umno and Pas leaders at the rally.
Dr Mahathir reportedly said Najib could have resolved the Rohingya issue through diplomatic channels.
Roslan said Dr Mahathir should use his influence as former prime minister to apply international pressure and find ways to help Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar through his Perdana Global Peace Foundation.
“If he cannot do that, the least he could do is collect RM10 from every Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia member as a sign of solidarity with Rohingya Muslims.
“If he still cannot do that, he should refrain from criticising Muslim NGOs for trying to save our Muslim brothers.”
Yayasan Murni Aqidah (YMA) chairman Datuk Aidit Ghazali said he was “disgusted” with Dr Mahathir for sacrificing human rights principles based on political differences.
“When defending the rights of any parties, including the Rohingya, political differences cannot be the deciding factor.”
Aidit said YMA understood that the persecution of the Rohingya was a global issue that should not be politicised. Roslan Ngah Sekretariat Ulama Umarak Malaysia honorary secretary