KUALA LUMPUR: The international community has to take tougher stand in order to end the military operation and human rights violations against the Rohingya in Myanmar said Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim.
He said the United Nations also has to pressure the country to end the oppression against the community immediately.
“The UN Secretary-General plays a role in facing the Myanmar government to convey objections on the acts which are inhumane and in violation of human rights.”
He also said that it should send peacekeepers to avoid military violence from escalating and ease humanitarian aid to be given directly to the affected people.
“Hence all parties especially those in the Asian region have to come to a solid consensus which can allow an agreement to be reached,” Irmohizam said.
He added that it was also time for Asean to take tougher action to ensure Myanmar puts an end to the military operation against which led to close to 100,000 of the community fleeing by foot to neighbouring Bangladesh.
“We can condemn them fiercely and pressure Asean to end the genocide in Myanmar. But pressure is not enough to stop the military operation. It is now time for Asean to take firmer action to ensure that Myanmar complies.”
He also said that Malaysians have to be united in all decisions which have been made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in solidarity against all forms of oppression which violates human rights.
Najib had called for the security forces to seek holistic approaches to addressing the crisis in the Rakhine state while urging for restraint. He also said that the dire situation facing the Rohingya had to be alleviated for the good of Myanmar as well as the region.
Reuters have reported that nearly 90,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh since violence erupted in Myanmar in August, pressuring scarce resources of aid agencies and communities already helping hundreds of thousands of refugees from previous spasms of violence in Myanmar.
The violence in Myanmar erupted after alleged attacks on dozens of police posts and an army base by Rohingya insurgents on Aug 25. The clashes and a major military counter-offensive ensuing from the incident have killed at least 400 people.
Myanmar officials blamed the Rohingya militants for the burning of homes and civilian deaths but human rights watchdogs and fleeing Rohingya Bangladesh say the arson and killing campaign by the army is to force them out.