Malaysian armed forces chief meets Myanmar President

Naypyidaw [Myanmar], Dec. 6 (ANI): Malaysian armed forces chief General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin met with Myanmar's president U Htin Kyaw and Commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Monday to smoothen the ties between the two sides following recent diplomatic sparring over violence in Rakhine State. The Myanmar Times quoted a statement released by the Commander-in-Chief's Office, as saying that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing informed Zulkifeli that no human rights violations had taken place against Muslim Rohingya. The statement also said that Myanmar authorities could not lie about this due to the focus on the state by the local and international media. Myanmar President discussed the ongoing military operations in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships with the Malaysian commander. Blaming the diplomatic tensions on "false news", a statement from the President's Office said that the issues in Rakhine State is being resolved by Myanmar government in accordance with existing laws and human rights standards. The tension aroused between the two ASEAN nations following harsh criticism of the Myanmar government by Prime Minister Najib Razak at a rally in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Bangkok-based expert on ASEAN affairs, Kavi Chongkittavorn, said, "The Myanmar government will be held responsible for what is happening, not Malaysia. It is an internal problem that has regional implications." Advisor to former President U Thein Sein, U Ko Ko Hlaing, accused the Malaysian leader of exploiting the issue to divert public attention away from corruption allegations levelled against him. "Malaysia interfered in our affairs despite what it says in the ASEAN charter. This is not good for the future of ASEAN," he said. Stating his intention was not to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs, Najib said on Twitter that the cruelty against Rohingya had gone too far. Over 56,000 Rohingya and Myanmar refugees in Malaysia are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (ANI)