KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should urge other Asean nations to hold a conference to discuss the Rohingya crisis, said Rohingya non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia president Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani applauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s commitment to fight for the rights of Rohingya refugees.
However, he said the crisis in Myanmar should not be forgotten.
“While it is commendable what Malaysia is doing for the refugees, people shouldn’t forget what we have to go through there.
“Whatever it is, Myanmar is still our home and something must be done to help us. We can’t live in refugee camps forever.”
Echoing the sentiment, Asean Rohingya Centre (ARC) executive director Dr Helmi Ibrahim said Malaysia should continue to push for the rights of the Rohingya.
“We hope Malaysia will continue to push Asean to hold a conference, or at least an informal dialogue, to discuss the crisis.
“Asean should take responsibility by addressing this crisis according to its charter,” he said.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister sent off the Rohingya humanitarian aid mission delegation to the Malaysian field hospital in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
“Although Rohingya has no influence on international political affairs, Malaysia’s concern for their plight is highly praised.
“The commitment of the prime minister to champion the Rohingya issue is solely for humanitarian purposes.”
Helmi said the government’s initiative to set up the Malaysian field hospital in Cox’s Bazar was admirable.
“It shows that Malaysia is among the countries to come forward in lending a helping hand to those who are going through crisis,” he said.