Anifah: Malaysia will continue to address Rohingya plight
By Joseph Kaos Jr
March 15, 2017
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will not stop in its efforts to address issues affecting the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman (pic) said humanitarian assistance as well as continuous pressure from the international community have produced results, and as such, needs to be continued.
“I believe that the international community’s efforts to urge and encourage the Myanmar Government to alleviate the plight and suffering of the Rohingyas have borne fruit.
“On Feb 15, it was reported that the Myanmar army has halted its security operations in Rakhine and ended a four-month crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim community.
“Malaysia, as a responsible member of the international community will continue to play its part in addressing this issue,” said Anifah, in his address at a special dinner at the International Conference on Rohingya 2017 here Wednesday night.
As a show of Malaysia's commitment towards the Rohingya, Anifah said the country had already announced a contribution of RM10mil to assist in humanitarian efforts and social rehabilitation projects in Rakhine state.
He said Malaysia has also played its role in encouraging other countries to join in its efforts to help the Rohingyas.
“During Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s official visit to Qatar recently, the Government of Qatar through the Qatar Development Fund pledged a total of US$50mil (RM222.4mil) to be channelled in stages to the National Security Council of Malaysia.
“The fund will be used to provide semi-skilled and skilled training, as well as education, health and medical facilities to improve the wellbeing of Rohingya communities in Malaysia,” said Anifah.
As of February, there are 149,496 Persons of Concern registered with UNHCR in Malaysia.
Out of this figure, some 133,263 are from Myanmar, and from that total 56,458 are Rohingyas.
The three-day conference is organised by the Institute of Public Security of Malaysia, Amal Foundation of Malaysia, International Union for Muslim Scholars and International Federation for Relief and Development, Malaysia Chapter.
Anifah said the conference is “very timely and opportune”, as it “provides a platform for experts from all around the world to sit together and formulate proposals to resolve the tragedy that has befallen the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar."
