MALAYSIA told Myanmar tonight to end the violence against the Rohingyas there, and in a strongly worded statement said it was disassociating itself from a mild Asean statement on the ongoing situation in the Southeast Asian nation.

Asean statements are usually issued by consensus but the statement issued by the current chair, the Philippines, did not name the Rohingyas although it appealed to all sides to avoid action that would worsen the situation.

“Malaysia would like to disassociate itself with the chairman statement as we are of the view that it is a misrepresentation of the reality of the situation.

“In this regard, Malaysia has made known its concerns but they were not reflected in the chairman statement. Hence, the chairman statement was not based on consensus. The statement also omits the Rohingyas as one of the affected communities,” Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said in a statement.

He said Malaysia condemned attacks against Myanmar security forces on August 25 by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) but subsequent Myanmar ‘clearance operations’ efforts “was disproportionate” and led to deaths and displaced some 430,000 Rohingyas.

Malaysia and Myanmar are part of the 10-nation Asean which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The mainly economic grouping usually refrains from commenting on internal issues and human rights causes.

“Malaysia strongly urge the government of Myanmar to end the violence, stop the destruction to lives and properties, allow immediate unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Rohingyas and all affected communities, and to resolve the Rohingya refugee problem.

“Viable and long-term solutions to the root causes to the conflict must be found in order for the Rohingyas and the affected communities to be able to rebuild their lives. We also urge Myanmar to fulfil its commitment to immediately implement the recommendations of the final report of the Advisory Commission of the Rakhine state,” Anifah said in the statement issued by Wisma Putra in Kuala Lumpur.

He noted that Malaysia had dispatched humanitarian aid to Bangladesh earlier this month and would continue to do more for the South Asian nation which is housing those fleeing from Myanmar.

The Asean statement today said that the Asean foreign ministers “expressed concern over the recent developments in Northern Rakhine state of Myanmar and extended their deepest condolences to all the victims and affected communities of the conflict”.

It also said the ministers condemned the August 25 attacks and “all acts of violence which resulted in loss of civilian lives, destruction of homes and displacement of large numbers of people”.

“The foreign ministers acknowledged that the situation in Rakhine state is a complex intercommunal issue with deep historical roots. They strongly urged all the parties involved to avoid actions that will further worsen the situation on the ground,” said the Asean statement.

It added that the foreign ministers agreed that “viable and long-term solutions to the root causes of the conflict must be found”, including encouraging dialogue between Myanmar and Bangladesh for the affected communities to rebuild their lives.

“The Foreign Ministers welcomed the commitment by the Myanmar authorities to ensure the safety of civilians, take immediate steps to end the violence in Rakhine, restore normal socioeconomic conditions, and address the refugee problem through verification process,” it said. – September 24, 2017.