Senator Proposes Malaysia Tables Emergency Meeting On Atrocities Against Rohingnya Issue

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- A senator proposed that the government holds an emergency meeting with members of ASEAN to address issues relating to the atrocities and oppression committed against the ethnic Rohingyas in Myanmar. Boon Som Inong said Malaysia should take the initiative in order to reach a consensus in dealing with the human rights issue. "Immediate measures (emergency meeting) should be held to maintain the good name of ASEAN member countries that are known as a safe, free and neutral zone," he said when debating the Supply Bill 2017 at the Dewan Negara (Malaysian Senate) sitting here Thursday. Boon Som, who represented the Siamese community and whose term as senator will expire on Dec 14, also condemned the violence and said such treatment was not acceptable at all. "As a community leader of the Siamese community and a Buddhist, I feel concerned with the spread of pictures on these incidents through the social media. "I am worried that it will give the wrong impression of Buddhism and its followers," he said. He also commended the Ummah Solidarity Gathering for Rohingnya at the Titiwangsa Stadium last Sunday, which was attended by Prime Minister Najib Razak and his deputy Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as well as PAS (an Islamist political party in Malaysia) president Abdul Hadi Awang which could open the eyes of the world. Meanwhile speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Senator Norliza Abdul Rahim said the regional member countries should discuss with Myanmar to address the issue. Senator Fahariyah Md Nordin said the action of the Myanmar government to stop sending workers to Malaysia due to the solidarity gathering would not affect the country. "The Myanmar government should take heed of what is voiced by the neighbouring countries, especially ASEAN countries on what occurred in Myanmar because it is part of ASEAN," she said. Deputy Human Resources Minister Ismail Abdul Muttalib was reported to have said that any decision by Myanmar to stop sending its workers to Malaysia would not adversely affect the country as locals would be asked to fill the vacancies. --BERNAMA