Armed Forces Chief General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin has urged his counterpart in Myanmar to resolve the Rohingya issue with wisdom as it can be exploited by militant group Islamic State (IS).

He told Myanmar armed forces general Ming Aung Hhaing this during his visit there on Dec 5.

"(The general) told General Ming Aung Hlaing that if it is not handled well and with wisdom, it could lead to a situation which could be exploited by Daesh (IS) to expand its influence and power in this region.

"The same was conveyed during (the general's) meeting with Myanmar President U Htin Kyan on the same day," said the armed forces in a statement.

Zulkifli also told the Myanmar general that Malaysia viewed the IS threat seriously and required Asean’s cooperation on the matter.

The visit to Myanmar was part of his Asean farewell tour in the lead-up to his retirement.

Myanmar yesterday summoned Malaysia's diplomat to protest Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's attendance at a pro-Rohingya rally in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.

The rally was against reported violence against the largely Muslim Rohingya community in the Myanmar's Rakhine state, which borders the Bay of Bengal.

The Myanmar government has placed stringent requirements for the community to be granted citizenship, despite most claiming to have lived in the state for generations.

Rohingya refugees claim the Myanmar military is behind the violence, while the government blames local militants.

Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, who visited Rakhine on invitation of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said the situation cannot be classified as genocide.

The Myanmar government on Tuesday announced a temporary halt of labour migration to Malaysia.

On Tuesday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said the UN refugee agency can issue cards to only Rohingya refugees in Malaysia.

Malaysia does not formally recognise refugees, however, the country has long been a transit point for asylum-seekers who seek help from agencies like the UNCHR to be placed in third countries.