This is just not enough. The Sunday rally attended by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak and other important cabinet members is welcomed but Najib can do much more as a head of state.
Responding to Myanmar, Malaysia has acknowledged that the targeted persecution of the Rohingya is no more contained in one country.
The press statement noted its effects in neighbouring countries as well. Well kudos to Malaysia for breaking ranks with ASEAN’s non-interference policy but pressure must be kept up to ensure the killings by the Myanmar military stop.
Malaysia has an added responsibility as it was instrumental in bringing Myanmar back to the ASEAN fold.
So it can certainly demand Myanmar expulsion, if calls to stop the violence against the Rohingya go unheeded.
We can moot an initiative for an arms embargo to Myanmar, while keeping diplomatic channels open to ensure continuing dialogues.
While we have decided to boycott the Suzuki Cup matches in Myanmar and Najib has sent an emotional plea to the United Nations, the government must also ratify the 1951 UN Refugee Convention so that the Rohingya are not left in a legal limbo here as well.
While Najib says he will not close his eyes and shut his mouth, he certainly hasn’t opened up discussions about recognising the rights of the Rohingya as refugees.
And just recently, his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, described the Rohingya as “illegal immigrants” while Najib’s government welcomed Syrians, giving them temporary residence and work permits.
Such disparity in policy doesn’t give Malaysia the leverage with Myanmar, to begin with.
So there is much more to be done.
Let’s hope that Malaysia starts by acknowledging the rights of the Rohingya as refugees, allowing them to work and lobbying other ASEAN countries to reprimand Myanmar.
Or the rally would be nothing but Najib playing to the gallery to look appealing to the Muslim voters or deflecting the thorny issues plaguing him.