December 8, 2016

Suu Kyi is not ignoring Rohingya's plight

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak had strong words for Aung San Suu Kyi as he led a rally in Kuala Lumpur to show solidarity with the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine State, also known as Arakan State.

His comment to the baying crowds of "enough is enough" aimed at the State Counsellor has risked a diplomatic fissure with neighbouring Myanmar. Before Mr Najib joined the rally, a terse exchange of words between the two governments ended with a Union government spokesperson reminding Malaysia not to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs.

Mr Najib responded to this request at the rally, asking "do they [Myanmar government] want me to close my eyes? Want me to be mute?" (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)

US, UN begin Rohingya resettlement process

The United Nations body and the United States representatives in Indonesia have interviewed Rohingya people who had been harbored in Aceh, fleeing persecution in their home country, as the beginning of a resettlement process to the US.

Thousands of Rohingya Muslims have escaped Myanmar following longtime state-sponsored persecution in the hope of reaching Australia, but many were stranded in Aceh and Medan, as well as Malaysia and Thailand, as their boats crashed before reaching their desired destination.

The biggest flow of refugees occurred two years ago when hundreds washed ashore on the coast of Aceh. (Courtesy of thejakartapost.com)

IS could exploit Rohingya issue, says Armed Forces chief

The Rohingya issue in Myanmar could be exploited by the Islamic State (IS) to widen its influence in Southeast Asia, Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin told top Myanmar military leaders, The Star reported.

In calling for the situation to be handled amicably, the armed forces chief said Malaysia took a serious view of the situation.

The Star reported that Gen Zulkifeli also stressed that cooperation between Asean countries was pertinent to handle the threat.

The meeting earlier this week was part of Gen Zulkifeli’s itinerary with his Asean counterparts before he retires. (Courtesy of freemalaysiatoday.com)