Atrocities against Rohingyas: Najib and Malaysia will not sit still

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stressed today he will not ignore and remain silent on the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar.

Speaking at the Solidarity for Rohingyas gathering at the Titiwangsa Stadium here, the Prime Minister said Malaysia will go all out to defend the rights of the Muslim ethnic in Myanmar.

"As the head of government, I cannot just close my eyes and keep quiet. Because, we must defend them.

"We do not only defend them because they are of the same faith with us. But they are human beings, they have rights. Their lives are valuable and we must fight to the end!" he said.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, UMNO and PAS leaders as well as over 20,000 people, including Rohingyas residing in Malaysia.

Najib also urged Indonesia's President Joko Widodo to hold a peaceful assembly with the people of that country as a sign of championing for the fate of the Rohingya community.

"I want to ask Jokowi to tell the Indonesian people to rally. Don't just protest against Ahok. The issue of Rohingyas must also be addressed in Indonesia. They can have assemblies in Jakarta," he added.

At the same time, Najib urged international bodies and ASEAN community countries to take action to stop the atrocities and oppression against the ethnic Rohingyas in Myanmar.

He wanted the United Nations (UN) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to not only witness the cruelty taking place but instead take action against those responsible.