Call to help democracy in Myanmar

By Low Sock Ken

The Sun Daily

February 26, 2015

JOHOR BARU: The international community needs to work together, especially the Asean countries, to play a more significant role in helping Myanmar in the process of democratisation.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) special envoy to Myanmar, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, said this when he opening the international conference on the "Future Democracy in Myanmar-Plight of the Oppressed Minority" at University Technologi Malaysia today.

He said Asean countries, such as Indonesia and Brunei, could play more important roles in helping Myanmar but the support from the international community was also important.

"The more countries discuss on the issues of the Muslim Rakhine (Rohingya) and Myanmar issues, it can help Myanmar to open up and go through the process of parliamentary democracy," he added.

He said the OIC is only focussing on humanitarian aid to the Rakhine people and that there is room for opening dialogue with the Myanmar authorities.