Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
story images
story images
mk-logo
News
Don't interfere, Myanmar tells Putrajaya ahead of Rohingya solidarity rally
Published:  Dec 2, 2016 10:03 PM
Updated: 2:55 PM

Myanmar has warned Malaysia not to interfere in its affairs after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak reportedly will participate in a solidarity rally with the Rohingya community in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the Myanmar Times, the deputy director general of the Myanmar President’s Office, U Zaw Htay, also dismissed the rally as a ploy for Putrajaya to garner political support among Malaysians.

The report quoted U Zaw Htay as saying that the protest "appeared to be a calculated political decision to win the support of the Malaysian public and had little to do with Myanmar".

"We will call on the Malaysian ambassador regarding the protest and to ask if the Malaysian prime minister is participating. If so, we will monitor the event," he is quoted as saying.

U Zaw Htay also reportedly warned Malaysia of Asean's non-interference policy.

“According to Asean principles, a member country does not interfere in other member countries’ internal affairs.

"We have always followed and respected this principle. We hope that the Malaysian government will continue to follow it,”U Zaw Htay is quoted as saying by Myanmar Times.

He added that neighbouring countries should respect Myanmar's sovereign affairs.

The Rohingya solidarity rally is expected to take place at Titiwangsa Stadium on Sunday, with Najib and other Umno leaders will be present.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is also expected to be there.

The Myanmar government is facing growing international protest following reports that the killing of ethnic Rohingyas in the country had intensified.

This follows an attack on a Myanmar military outpost, which has been blamed on the Rohingyas.

Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya community as its citizens.

Malaysia is home to more than a million Rohingya refugees.

However, Malaysia does not formally recognise them as refugees and the current policy is to send them back after the resolution of the conflict in Myanmar.

It remains to be seen if Najib will announce a change of policy during Sunday's rally.

ADS