‘Rohingya suffering can lead to extremism’
This file picture taken on June 15, 2012 shows a Myanmar Muslim
Rohingya standing between tents at a temporary relief camp for people
displaced by days of sectarian violence on the outskirts of Sittwe,
capital of Myanmar's western state of Rakhine. - AFP
THE
international community should realise that the suffering of the
Rohingya community in Myanmar can cause the rise of extremist groups
there, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
He
said the global community needed to provide adequate assistance to the
Muslim Rohingyas and the Buddhist community in Myanmar and help to
prevent the spread of sectarian violence.
“If extremist groups
are created based from the problems that exists in Myanmar, Asean
countries will be among the first to be affected.
“It is
therefore important to ensure stability is maintained in Rakhine and the
affected people are given necessary aid. This will also prevent the
problem of refugees coming out from Myanmar,” he told Azmin Ali
(PKR-Gombak).
Anifah said that when Myanmar gained independence
in 1958, the Rohingya were considered citizens as stipulated under the
country’s Citizenship Act 1948.
However, in 1982, when the
military government enforced its so-called nationality law, the Rohingya
were denied their rights as citizens, he added.
“This view is
based on the perception of the administration and the people there that
the Rohingya are immigrants who were brought in by the British to work
as labourers,” he said.
Anifah said Rohingya had fled oppression in their country to India, Saudi Arabia,Thailand and Malaysia.
“Most of them who came here stay in Selangor, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur,” he added.
Anifah
said Malaysia had expressed concern over the well-being of the people
of Rakhine who had been displaced due to ethnic clashes.
“Malaysia
also believes aid should not only be given to the Muslim Rohingyas, but
also to the Buddhist community as well, as this can help reduce tension
and the socio-economic gap that exists between them,” he added.
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