KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will push for the passing of an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolution urging the Myanmar government to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance to reach the Rohingya community in the Rakhine State.

This was announced by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, who will chair the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council for Foreign Ministers on the Situation of the Rohingya Minority in Myanmar tomorrow.

“(We will also express our) concern over the acts of violence and human rights abuses towards the Rohingya Muslim minority, and its spillover effects,” said Anifah during a press conference here today.

Anifah said Malaysia would also push for an OIC resolution recognising the measures taken by the government of Myanmar in improving the conditions of vulnerable communities, including the Rohingya Muslims.

Anifah said the closed-door meeting would conclude with the adoption of the resolutions and the release of a communique.

He said the communique would, among others, urge the government of Myanmar to abide by its obligations under international law and prevent the worsening of the what he called “an acute humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State”.

Anifah said the OIC, through the communique, would express its concern over the recent violence in Rakhine State, as well as urge Myanmar to ensure the safe return of the displaced Rohingya community.

He said the meeting was convened at Malaysia’s request to discuss the “urgent” plight of the Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar.

“The problems faced by the Rohingya are not new. However, in recent months we have seen the spillover effect of actions in Myanmar, through the mass exodus of the Rohingya across the borders of Bangladesh.

“This is a matter which is of concern the OIC since it affects the Muslim Ummah, which the OIC was established to protect.” said Anifah.-nst