Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today flagged off a humanitarian aid mission for the Rohingya in Myanmar, saying the minority community had suffered enough hardship.
"We will not remain silent and be satisfied with resolutions and rhetoric. What I want to say is that the Rohingya have suffered enough ... enough is enough.
"We are following up with humanitarian aid," he said when flagging off the 'Food Flotilla for Myanmar' taking 2,200 tonnes of food and medicines aboard the vessel 'Nautical Aliya' at the Boustead Cruise Centre here this evening.
Najib said the food flotilla was proof that Malaysians did not ignore the plight of the Rohingya.
Efforts to care for the ethnic suffering began at the last UMNO General Assembly, he said, adding that it led to the Solidarity Gathering for the Rohingya in December.
"Then came the Extraordinary Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. I did not think of the cost, I wanted the OIC meeting to be held in Kuala Lumpur," he said.
PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was also present at the flag-off.
The 'Food Flotilla for Myanmar', led by Putera 1Malaysia Club (KP1M) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, is organised by KP1M and the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) with the cooperation of the Turkiye Diyanet Vakfi (TDV) Foundation of Turkey.
Najib said he was most touched by the preparation of the mission that would be taking along 2,200 tonnes of food and medicines.
"I was apprehensive at first whether we could get ready such a mission. I went aboard the vessel and saw for myself the 2,200 tonnes of food and medicines - it is indeed a record. These are what we will hand over to the Rohingya.
"I am also touched by the willingness of more than 200 volunteers from 13 countries to join the mission. A doctor was prepared to pay RM200 to go along as a volunteer ... a reflection of the concern of Malaysians," he said.
The Prime Minister said the 'Food Flotilla for Myanmar' also reflected the solidarity of the 'ummah' in Malaysia as representatives from UMNO and PAS were also in the mission.
Earlier, at the Al-Qayyum Mosque in Bandar Armada Putra here, Najib joined the special prayers for the safety and protection of the flotilla and an end to the hardship of the Rohingya.
The special prayers were held after the Friday prayers. Both the prayers were led by Tuan Ibrahim of PAS. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom delivered the Friday sermon.
Others who attended these prayers included Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister and Selangor Barisan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar, Abdul Azeez and several Selangor BN state assemblymen.
At the flag-off, Najib said the flotilla was a shining example that when people of a faith came together on the principle of extending assistance in the humanitarian spirit, there was nothing that could not be accomplished.
"Hopefully, this spirit will bring a better future for Muslims and Malaysia," he said.
At a press conference later, Najib said the mission would not strain relations between Malaysia and Myanmar because it pertained to a question of humanity and was not about politics.
"This is our contribution and hope as a government concerned over human rights, this is the best way possible," he said.
Asked about the temporary ban on the citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, Najib said the prohibition did not affect Malaysia.
US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order imposing the ban on citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Yaman, Sudan and Somalia.
Among those present at the flag-off were Hishammuddin, Jamil Khir, Noh Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani. -- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Feb 03 2017
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today flagged off a humanitarian aid mission for the Rohingya in Myanmar, saying the minority community had suffered enough hardship. -Astro AWANI
One woman or girl killed every 10 minutes by intimate partner or family member - UN
The report highlights that "60 per cent of all female homicides" are committed by "people closely related to them".
Sweden urges Chinese ship to return for undersea cable investigation
Two subsea cables, one linking Finland and Germany and the other connecting Sweden to Lithuania, were damaged in less than 24 hours.
[COLUMNIST] Building more highways won’t solve traffic congestion - reducing demand will
It is clear that adding more lanes and highways doesn't work, because we are still attempting the same approach to solve the issue.
Hyundai to invest RM2.16 bil in Malaysia through strategic partnership with INOKOM
This investment includes efforts to upgrade INOKOM's existing assembly capacity to meet Hyundai's automotive needs.
‘C4Cinta’ sets record as highest-grossing Malaysian Tamil film
'C4Cinta', directed by young filmmaker Karthik Shamalan, has set a new benchmark in Malaysian Tamil cinema.
Man charged with mother's murder, storing body in freezer
The court denied bail and scheduled case mention on Feb 7 for the submission of forensic, autopsy, and chemist reports.
Abolition of examination in schools to reduce pressure on pupils - Fadhlina
The classroom assessment approach offers a much more interesting learning ecosystem, says Fadhlina Sidek.
Google, Meta urge Australia to delay bill on social media ban for children
Google and Meta says the government should wait for the results of an age-verification trial before going ahead.
Judge tosses Trump 2020 election case after prosecutors' request
It represents a big legal victory for Donald Trump, who won the Nov. 5 US election and is set to return to office on Jan. 20.
DHL plane crash in Lithuania leaves authorities searching for answers
Rescue services said the plane hit the ground, split into pieces and slid over 100 metres (110 yards).
National squad to hold friendly matches for 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup
The warm-up matches will involve matches against better ranked teams in the world, namely Austria (first) and Belgium (third).
G7 seeks unity on ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The United States, part of the G7, has rejected the ICC decision, with President Joe Biden describing it as outrageous.
Francissca Peter remembers Tan Sri Ahmad Nawab: A tribute to a musical legend
A legend who has influenced our music for decades, was one of the highlights of my career, says Francissca Peter.
TikTok decision coming soon as Jan. 19 divestment deadline looms
Judges are reviewing TikTok's challenge to a law requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
Lebanese sources: Biden, Macron set to announce Israel-Hezbollah truce
In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, "We're close" but "nothing is done until everything is done".
PM meets chaebol tycoon to attract more FDI to Malaysia
Chaebols are prominent figures from South Korea's family-owned conglomerates.
Govt won't allow non-citizen vehicles to enjoy RON95 subsidy - Economy Ministry
The implementation of the RON95 subsidy in 2025 is expected to provide savings of RM3.6 billion to government expenditure.
Ringgit opens lower as greenback gains ground
Dr Mohd Afzanizam says the market responded positively to news of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent heading the US Treasury Department.
Management of low-cost housing, gov't quarters, focus at Dewan Rakyat today
Also among the highlights, UNICEF report on 12.3pct of teenagers in Klang Valley's PPR face mental health issues and suicidal tendencies.
UN Resolution 1701, cornerstone of any Israel-Hezbollah truce
Here are the resolution's main terms, and a note about subsequent violations and tensions.