OIC To Send Team To Myanmar To Assess Rohingya's Woes - Malaysian FM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has agreed to send a high level delegation to Myanmar's trouble Rakhine state to assess the situation and woes of the Rohingya Muslim minority in that country. Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the decision was achieved after the OIC Extraordinary Session Of The Council of Foreign Ministers to address the situation of Rohingyas here Thursday. Anifah said an international assessment on the ongoing situation in the Rakhine state would be an advantage for the Myanmar government as it could deter negative accusations linking it with abuses and atrocities against that ethnic group. "In order to ascertain the reality, why not the Myanmar government receive the independent team to assess whether what has been said really happened or just merely a propaganda. "It is the best solution and we can move forward from there," he told a press conference to conclude the one-day meeting, hoping that the junta government would agree to allow the visit. On that note, Kuala Lumpur also called for the Myanmar government to react to the call of OIC member states and immediately put a stop to the ongoing crisis. "We will put forward (OIC's request) to the Myanmar government and now it is up to them. This is the request of 1.6 billion Muslims. The earlier they react, the better. "What is most important is the killing must stop. We cannot allow it to go on. Myanmar is a very close neighbour to Malaysia. We urge Myanmar to look into this and address it immediately," he said. Anifah said the OIC extraordinary session Thursday had been productive and all of the objectives set had been met. "Now all we need to do is to put words into deeds. The plight of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar must not be ignored," he said. A total of 41 out of 57 OIC members attended the meeting with eight countries represented by their Foreign Ministers, while the rest was represented by their senior officials. Commenting on Malaysia contribution of US$2.24 million (RM10 million) to assist in humanitarian efforts and social rehabilitation projects in Rakhine state, Anifah stressed that the effort to achieve peace and humanity in a conflict area was priceless compared to the financial handout. "Malaysia is one of the countries that is concerned not just for the plight of the Rohingya Muslims but others too especially in Congo, Bosnia where we play a very positive role. "When we talking about RM10 million fund, it is a small sum. A small sum to spend on upkeep of human beings. We are human beings too, remember that," he said. The pledge was announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak earlier Thursday, indicating that the fund would be used to build infrastructure, such as educational and medical institutions. According to reports, the ongoing crisis in Rakhine state has caused thousands of Rohingyas to flee Myanmar with reports of atrocities, including rape and murder, which have been denied by the Myanmar government. Thursday's extraordinary meeting was held with three documents being raised - resolutions, a joint communique and Kuala Lumpur Declaration to show their united stand on the plight. -- BERNAMA