Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will raise the issue of Myanmar’s ethnic Rohingya at his upcoming meeting with United States president Donald Trump.

"I will raise this issue for his consideration but he (Trump) also has many other challenges on his plate, including tension with North Korea," Najib was quoted as saying by Bernama.

He said this after flagging off the humanitarian mission, "My Nation Is Concerned" at the Subang Air Force Base today.

Najib is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on Sept 12, and expressed his intention to raise the plight of the Rohingya during his trip.

The mounting conflict in Rakhine State has escalated with increasing violence committed by the Myanmar military regime against the Rohingyas.

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been condemned for her silence on the conflict, which has seen hundreds of thousands Rohingya fleeing towards state borders with Bangladesh.

Najib said the Bangladesh government would not be alone in its efforts to tackle the Rohingya refugee issue, as Malaysia will also be lending assistance.

The humanitarian mission Najib flagged off today will see 12 tonnes of food and other necessities delivered to Chittagong, Bangladesh, to aid Rohingya refugees.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that Malaysians should unite to state their stand on the issue and support Najib’s efforts to mount global pressure on Myanmar.

“I believe that Buddhists or followers of any other religion are also opposed to the acts which have been committed towards the Rohingya.

“We hope that the US will also put pressure on the United Nations to take a stern stand on this issue,” he said.

Separately, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said Najib should also gather all members of Asean for an emergency meeting to stop the ongoing inhumane acts in Myanmar.

In this situation, Nurul Izzah said Asean’s non-interference policy should not extend to issues of human rights abuses and crimes against humanity, which could potentially threaten stability across the region.

“The Malaysian government, as one of Asean’s superpowers and at the forefront of championing rights of the Rohingyas, should pressure the government of Myanmar and its military to explain the reason behind its actions and end the apartheid treatment against the Rohingyas.

“All the condemnations and concerns raised on the issue should also include a clear, concrete and realistic mechanism, on top of long-term acceptance of refugees,” she said.

Additional reporting by N Faizal Ghazali

 

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