ABIM WELCOME PM'S DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE TO TACKLE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN MYANMAR

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's diplomatic initiative in addressing the protracted humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, which is seen as an important step in building trust and lasting solutions in the region.

ABIM president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said the inclusive diplomatic approach, including a meeting with an informal advisory group to the ASEAN chairman in Bangkok, Thailand, clearly shows Malaysia's commitment to ensuring peace and open dialogue continues.

He said the virtual discussion session with Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) also enabled humanitarian aid to be channelled to the people of Myanmar who were affected by the recent earthquake.

"Malaysia's role is an important step in building trust and paving the way for a just and lasting solution after Myanmar has long been sidelined by internal strife.

"ABIM sees this initiative as a high-level diplomatic model that should be made the main thrust among ASEAN countries," he said in a statement today.

According to Ahmad Fahmi, the efforts of interaction and dialogue with Myanmar has also succeeded in stopping the armed conflict on humanitarian grounds, as well as freeing thousands of political prisoners.

"This opens up the space to devise a more comprehensive solution to the humanitarian crisis that has occurred, especially involving several communities in Myanmar, including the Rohingya, which has dragged on to the point of burdening regional countries," he said.

In this regard, he said Malaysia should continue to strengthen ASEAN's role as a more proactive and effective diplomatic platform, especially in resolving the protracted Rohingya refugee issue.

"The same space should be given by Malaysia as the ASEAN Chairmanship to continue to hold negotiations and dialogue with other stakeholder groups in Myanmar.

"ABIM stressed that Malaysia must continue to play a consistent role in upholding human rights at the regional level by leveraging diplomatic power to make changes," he said.

-- BERNAMA