Myanmar urged to allow UN probe into abuses against Rohingya

The Malay World Islamic World Organisation (DMDI) is calling on the Myanmar government to allow the United Nations investigation team to probe into the latest alleged persecution by Myanmar security forces against the country's ethnic Rohingya minority.

DMDI president, Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam said Myanmar, as a long-time member of ASEAN, should understand the principles of democracy practised by the regional organisation's member states.

"In such a matter, Myanmar should be more open and give its cooperation to the UN investigation team," he told reporters at the Aidilfitri Open House which he hosted as Bukit Katil UMNO division chief, at Dewan Tun Ali, here, today.

Also present at the event were Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

Mohd Ali said DMDI had spoken out against the persecution of the Rohingya ethnic minority since last year and hoped the Myanmar government would be prepared to cooperate with the UN investigators.

Yesterday, the Myanmar government issued a statement that it would not allow the UN investigators into the country.

The UN had before this, called on the government of Aung San Suu Kyi to allow the investigation team to carry out its tasks following complaints on the latest attacks since last Wednesday in Maungdaw, northern Rakhine, where about a thousand Muslim Rohingya were threatened with killings, beatings or rape.

Yesterday, Ahmad Zahid had reportedly said that the Malaysian government was waiting for a report from its Foreign Ministry on the latest developments with regard to oppression against ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar.

He also said that he would discuss with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the issue and that humanitarian efforts and diplomatic action would be taken based on advice given by Wisma Putra.

-- BERNAMA