Arakan News Agency
ASEAN must work together immediately and in a comprehensive manner, to resolve the issues surrounding ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein .
He said ASEAN must look for the best approach in solving the issue, rather than objecting to efforts to help the people.
“Two weeks ago, I personally asked the Myanmar defence minister to hold a bilateral meeting during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), to discuss the status and fate of the ethnic Rohingya over there.”
Hishammuddin was speaking to reporters after attending the Kuala Lumpur International Youth Discourse programme on Saturday.
According to a Wisma Putra statement on Friday, Malaysia condemned the violence which has become more rampant in the northern Arakan state over the past several months.
Kuala Lumpur also urged the Myanmar government to take strong action to address the issue of ethnic cleansing.
Meanwhile in his speech, Hishammuddin said Malaysia needed to intensify efforts to curb terrorist groups.
In KANGAR, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim proposed that the Government build special camps for Rohingya refugees in several states bordering Thailand, to prevent them from entering city areas.
He said the influx of foreigners, particularly refugees, into urban areas could cause social problems.
“We don’t invite them (refugees) to come but on humanitarian grounds, we give them the necessary shelter, food and clothes although Malaysia did not sign any agreement on refugee rights,” he added.
In KOTA BARU, Umno Information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said it was about time the United Nations (UN) intervened and called for a ceasefire to solve the humanitarian crisis.
“I think the UN should act immediately, declare a ceasefire and send peacekeeping troops to stop the calamity.
“The tortures are intentional so that the Muslims in Arakan will leave the country. This is a chase-away process to instill fear in the Rohingya which eventually leads to transborder (regional) issues (for Asean),” he said.
Source :Bernama
