Malaysia’s call for resolving Rohingya crisis becomes successful as Suu Kyi agrees to act

Malaysia’s long term effort to address the atrocities that are taking place in Rakhine state on the Rohingya has yielded results as Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi gave her words to find a solution to the crisis at the 31st Asean Summit. Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that Suu Kyi has agreed on a sustainable solution to the crisis, assuring mutual trust and accord during the plenary session of the Summit, reports The New Straits Times. In addition to 400,000 Rohingya already living in Bangladesh, over 607,000 more people have crossed over to Bangladesh from Myanmar since August 25, after ethnic conflicts in Rakhine sparked the most rapid human exodus since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. “However Suu Kyi admitted it will take some time to resolve this and a lot needs to be done…Suu Kyi is also committed to extend Myanmar’s cooperation in allowing humanitarian aid to help the Rohingyas in Rakhine,” he told the Malaysian media. Nazib has also stated that Suu Kyi expressed her interest to discuss with the Bangladeshi government about bringing back the Rohingya refugees who are now living in Bangladesh. “Both governments are now discussing to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the matter, which is expected to be signed soon,” he said. “I took this as a clear and positive development to our efforts as Suu Kyi did not commit to all these measures during the 30th Asean Summit in April,” he further added mentioning that Malaysia’s continuous efforts in this issue have finally worked out. Malaysia has been the strongest voice so far in addressing the Rohingya crisis at both national and international levels. Razak said an intensive observation must be kept while drafting the MoU to make sure all the parties can secure their fair interest. Razak mentioned that Suu Kyi has acknowledged the final report of an advisory commission, led by former UN chief Kofi Annan, saying world powers must work with the country’s military and civilian leaders to end the refugee crisis. The report was published after consultations held in the region for a year, addressing particular recommendations on specific citizenship verifications, equal rights of citizens before the law, documentation of the citizenships, internal displacements, and other civic rights which protects the minorities regardless of their race and religions. Razak addressed the urge of Asean countries to focus and implement the Asean Community Vision 2025 so as to make sure that the regional peace, harmony, and economic interests remain uncompromised. “Asean need to win to hearts and minds of its people by adopting the value of moderation in dealing with issues, including terrorism, violence and Islamic State propaganda,” he stated.