Kuala Lumpur – The international community must provide aid and other assistance in strife-torn Rakhine in Myanmar to prevent the sectarian violence from turning into acts of extremism, Parliament was told.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the sufferings experienced by the Rohingnya people could lead to its people turning to extremism.

If this takes place, he added, Asean nations could be affected.

“It is therefore important to ensure stability in Rakhine and the people be given necessary aid.

“This will also prevent them from fleeing to other countries,” he told Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak).

Anifah said when Myanmar gained independence in 1958, the Rohingyas were considered citizens under the Citizenship Act 1948.

In 1982 when the military government enforced the nationality law, the Rohingyas were denied their rights to citizenship.

“This is based on the perception of the administration and community that the Rohingyas were immigrants who were brought in by the British to work as labourers,” he said.

Anifah said Malaysia had expressed concern over the wellbeing of the people of Rakhine who were displaced due to the clashes.

“We were among the earliest and the first among Asean countries to issue a statement on the matter. Malaysia has also extended humanitarian aid.

“Malaysia believes that aid should not only be given to the Muslim Rohingyas but also to the Buddhist community as this can close the racial gap between them,” he said.

Link: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/9/nation/20121009151926&sec=nation