Rohingya: Call for an emergency meeting with ASEAN members - Syed Hamid
By Astro Awani
May 14, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should call for an emergency meeting with ASEAN members to discuss the Rohingya issue following the entry of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh in Langkawi recently.
In calling for the meeting, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, who is the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) special representative on Rohingyas, said there was no better way to resolve the problem than by engaging all the parties involved.
"The problem must be discussed in ASEAN, especially among the countries involved, namely Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar," he told reporters after launching the International Bus, Truck and Components Expo here today.
The former foreign minister said the issue of the Rohingyas could not be taken lightly.
Asked whether discussions on this matter should also be held during the ASEAN Summit in November, Syed Hamid said the talks should take place as soon as possible.
In addition, he urged Malaysia, which is currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to raise the Rohingya issue at the council.
Over 1,000 migrants comprising Rohingyas from Myanmar, as well as Bangladeshis were reported to have landed in Langkawi early Monday.
