Rohingya 'food flotilla' vessel returns after mission

The Nautical Aliya vessel that completed its 'Food Flotilla for Myanmar' mission returned here today, docking at Boustead Cruise Centre at about 10am.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and family members of the 183 volunteers aboard were on hand to welcome the participants of the mission, having waited from as early as 8am.

Also present were Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, Datuk Mah Siew Keong and PAS central working committee member, Muhammad Sanusi Mohd Nor.

Hishammuddin said it was the first Malaysian humanitarian aid mission by sea, to help the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

"This mission is a good way to show that Malaysians are concerned with current developments, not only within our country but also at regional level or in other parts of the world.

"For all the violence and conflicts, the best way to respond is to show a high humanitarian, instead of being violent and emotional," he said at a ceremony to welcome the return of the volunteers.

The 'Food Flotilla for Myanmar' humanitarian aid mission also made it into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the "Biggest Humanitarian Aid Donated for One Nation".

A MBOR representative, Alex Edward handed a certificate to Hishammuddin who handed it over to the mission chief, Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.

Meanwhile, Abdul Azeez said they plan to donate 1,000 tube wells and 10,000 portable toilets to the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh during the fasting month (from end of May).

For that purpose, they require the cooperation of 222 members of parliament (MP) including from BN and PAS, in fund raising efforts to make a success of the aid mission.

Abdul Azeez also told the press conference that 900 tonnes of food would be shipped by container to the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh on Feb 26.

The Nautical Aliya left Port Klang on Feb 3 carrying 2,300 tonnes of food and other essential goods for the Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

It unloaded some of the goods at Yangon, Myanmar on Feb 9 and the rest at Chittagong, Bangladesh on Feb 14.

The humanitarian aid mission was organised by Putra 1Malaysia Club and the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (MAPIM).

The volunteers comprised representatives from Malaysian and foreign NGOs, medical teams, teachers and journalists. --Bernama