Malaysia pledge RM10m for humanitarian efforts in Rakhine State

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will contribute a sum of RM10 million to assist in humanitarian efforts and social rehabilitation projects in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
In announcing this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the fund will be used to build infrastructure, such as educational and medical institutions, that will contribute to development and improve the quality of life for the Rohingyas living there.
"Malaysia will also continue to extend our support to human resource development through the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
"Currently, Myanmar is the largest recipient of the MTCP among ASEAN countries, and the capacity-building initiatives it provides are an important part of striving for a viable long-term solution," Najib said during his keynote speech at the Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers of the Situation of the Rohingya Muslim Minority in Myanmar held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center here.
Najib said although Malaysia is a strong supporter of the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other sovereign countries, it has been compelled to take a public position on the situation in Myanmar.
He added Malaysia has always been a "true and long standing" friend of Myanmar that supports the latter even when it was "friendless".
"We (Malaysia) fought for their inclusion in Asean, we resisted efforts to punish and isolate them.
"We did so because we recognised that Myanmar is too large, too important and too significant to be left out in the cold. It is part of our region and a part of our community of nations," Najib said adding that it is time for Myanmar to end the crisis in the Rakhine State.
Najib added the international community should not keep mum as many people have lost their lives, and those that have lived through the atrocities have witnessed or endured unspeakable cruelty.
"At the same time, those of us who are based in this region have learned from history. And I believe I speak for all neighbouring countries when I say that we want to avoid a repeat of the 2015 "boat people" crisis.
"This not only caused untold suffering to the people who were forced to flee their homes, but had the potential to impact the security and stability of the broader region," he said.
Najib said Malaysia has been on the frontline when it comes to the irregular movement of people, and currently it is hosting around 56,000 displaced Rohingya men, women and children who have had to flee from Rakhine State.
Najib also urged the OIC, which represents 57 countries and a combined population of over 1.6 billion to contribute and support the cause to end the Rohingya crisis.