Malaysia Monitoring Situation In Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Embassy in Yangon is monitoring closely the highly volatile situation in certain areas in Myanmar as Malaysia is concerned with the incidents of violence against the country's Muslim population in the country's Mandalay and Bago Divisions, the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry in a statement said while Malaysia remained steadfast to its principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other sovereign countries, it called on all parties involved in the recent incidents to refrain from taking any actions which would aggravate the situation further.

"All Malaysians in Myanmar are advised to be vigilant. Malaysians in Myanmar are also advised to stay away from the affected areas which include but are not limited to Meiktila, Mahlaing, Tharzi and Wundwin in Mandalay as well as Gyobingauk, Othepho and Min Hla in Bago.

"The latest advisory can be obtained by visiting the embassy's website at http://www.kln.gov.my/web/mmr_yangon/home ," the statement added.

It said Malaysia hoped that the Myanmar Government would be able to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"Malaysia welcomes the latest statement issued by President U Thein Sein on March 28 2013 regarding the recent riots in Meiktila and other parts of the country along with the declaration of State of Emergency by the President in several towns in Mandalay.

"Malaysia also welcomes the imposition of additional curfews by the Government of Myanmar in three Bago townships. Malaysia is pleased to note that the Government of Myanmar has been able to defuse the widespread violence," it added.

It was reported that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is planning to hold a Foreign Ministers Meeting on April 14 to discuss the issue of violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

-- BERNAMA