Malaysia PM Najib Razak says Rohingya face systematic atrocities in Myanmar | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Malaysia PM Najib Razak says Rohingya face systematic atrocities in Myanmar

Agence France-Presse, Subang | ByAgence France-Presse
Sep 09, 2017 05:26 PM IST

In the past 15 days, nearly 300,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after raids by Rohingya militants triggered a Myanamr security forces crackdown in Rakhine state.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday said Rohingya Muslims face systematic violence including torture, rape and murder in Myanmar.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.(AP Photo)
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.(AP Photo)

Predominantly Muslim Malaysia has spoken out strongly against mostly Buddhist Myanmar over its treatment of its Rohingya minority since violence erupted last October.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In the past 15 days, nearly 300,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh after raids by Rohingya militants triggered a Myanamr security forces crackdown in Rakhine state.

“Based on the reports we have received, (the Rohingya) are discriminated and no mercy is accorded to them,” he told reporters at the Subang Airforce base on the outskirts of the capital Kuala Lumpur.

“Actually, it is done in a planned manner so that they are tortured, discriminated, killed and raped,” he added.

Earlier Najib witnessed the deployment of two airforce cargo planes with food and medical supplies to the port city of Chittagong in Bangladesh.

“We are sending two planes with biscuits, rice and soap. Malaysia will do whatever it can to help since this is a huge disaster,” he said.

Najib also said a reconnaissance team would arrive in Dhaka on Monday consisting of diplomats and military officers to identify further assistance needed by the Rohingya.

Malaysia’s armed forces chief said Saturday that Kuala Lumpur would provide a 200-bed military field hospital in Bangladesh if the government there granted permission.

Describing Myanmar’s inaction to halt the violence against innocent civilians as “rather disappointing”, Najib said he will raise the Rohingya humanitarian tragedy with President Donald Trump on September 12 during an official visit to the White House.

“We have to help because the Rohingya tragedy has reached terrible proportions,” he said.

On Friday, the powerful youth wing of Najib’s dominant Malaysia’s ruling party led a noisy street protest urging Kuala Lumpur to sever diplomatic ties with Yangon.

Malaysia on Tuesday summoned the Myanmar ambassador to voice its “deep concern” over the situation in Rakhine state, where witnesses said entire villages have been burned.

Over 1,000 people -- more than twice the government’s total estimate -- may already have been killed in Rakhine, mostly Rohingya, said Yanghee Lee, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar.

As of June this year, there are 59,100 Rohingya refugees registered with the UN Refugee Agency in Malaysia.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On