ISTANBUL: The Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) bloc of eight countries have responded positively to a call by Malaysia to take proactive steps to help the Rohingya people.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the commitment as chairman of the 9th D-8 summit which ended last night.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid said Erdogan urged Islamic countries in the D-8 bloc to give due attention and assistance to the Rohingya refugees.
“In his speech, the President also informed that his wife and son had visited refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, which clearly indicate his official and personal commitment to cooperate in finding a resolve to the issue.
“He appreciates efforts undertaken by Malaysia in providing humanitarian aid to the Rohingya people,” Ahmad Zahid said to members of the Malaysian media after the D-8 summit last night.
Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Malaysian Ambassador to Turkey Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Wahab.
Ahmad said said a holistic solution was needed and urged the international community to pressure the Myanmar government to allow the refugees return to their villages.
“In my unofficial discussion with the President of Turkey and Indonesian vice president Jusuf Kalla, I suggested to form an international monitoring team to ensure the safety of the refugees when returning to their villages.
“The proposal is still in its early stages but I will be informing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak about this and further discuss this with the Foreign Minister (Anifah) so that it could be tabled in the Cabinet meeting,” he said.
He said to set up the monitoring committee, a resolution is needed from the United Nations Security Council and cooperation from other international organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration.
“This is why we need to bring this to Cabinet so that Malaysia’s wish could be presented to all the international organisations,” he said.
Translated from Harian Metro