M’sia pledges RM10m for Rakhine state’s rehabilitation projects
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will contribute RM10 million to assist in humanitarian efforts and social rehabilitation projects in Rakhine state, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Malaysian prime minister said the fund would be used to build infrastructure, such as educational and medical institutions, that would contribute to development there and improve the quality of life of its people.
“Malaysia will also continue to extend its support to human resource development through the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
“Currently, Myanmar is the largest recipient of the MTCP among Asean countries, and the capacity- building initiatives it provides are an important part of striving for a viable long-term solution.
“I encourage and welcome any pledge of assistance from other member states,” he said when delivering his keynote address at the Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on The Situation of The Muslim Minority Rohingyas, here, yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and OIC secretarygeneral Dr Yousef Ahmed AlOthaimeen, were among those who attended the session.
Najib said the assistance in Myanmar was not limited to Muslims but for all who needed it in the affected areas.
He pointed out that in recent years, Malaysia had been on the frontline as the country had been hosting around 56,000 displaced Rohingya men, women and children who had to flee from Rakhine State.
He said Malaysia was willing to shoulder the financial and social responsibility of providing shelter and basic necessities to these Rohingyas.
“It is the morally right thing to do. However, the fact that they have been forced to flee is a tragic indictment of the situation they faced at home,” he said and alluded Malaysia’s fear for Rohingyas’ vulnerability to become human trafficking victims, as well as infiltration of militant elements among them. — Bernama