Memo submitted to Foreign Minister on Sri Lanka
Published: Feb 12, 2009 9:29 AM | Updated: Feb 12, 2009 9:33 AM
The Malaysian government has been urged to intervene in the ongoing war in Sri Lanka on humanitarian grounds.
The Malaysian government has been urged to intervene in the ongoing war in Sri Lanka on humanitarian grounds.
In view of this, a four-page memorandum was submitted to Foreign Minister Rais Yatim at his office in Putrajaya on Tuesday.
The team which submitted the memorandum consisted of Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam, World Tamil Relief Fund Chairperson S Pasupathi, MIC Youth advisor S Vel Paari and MIC Youth Co-ordinator T Mohan.
They also met with the minister for almost an hour.
Rais told reporters later that he would definitely raise the matter with the cabinet.
"No one can tolerate innocent people being killed in war zone areas. In the past we have rendered help to some countries on humanitarian basis," the minister was quoted as saying in news reports.
He said the Foreign Ministry will carry out an in-depth study of the needs of the affected people and make the necessary recommendations to the cabinet.
He also said that Malaysia is on good terms with the Sri Lankan government. "I will convey to them the concern of Malaysians regarding this issue," he added.
Rais added he would take the appropriate steps through the diplomatic channels and vowed to keep the public informed on the developments.
Thousands are suffering
Meanwhile, Subramaniam said thousands of people are suffering in Sri Lanka everyday.
"We and the Tamils there have a social link. Thousands of people have died in the war. People are suffering from starvation. Not enough humanitarian aid has reached them.
"To find a political solution, there must be a cease fire," he said, adding that concerned groups want the Malaysian government to intervene and help put a full stop to the bloodshed.
In a related development, DAP parliamentarian Gobind Singh Deo told Malaysiakini last week that he would also raise this issue with the minister.
Apart from this, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy and PKR’s Kapar parliamentarian S Manikavasagam said that they would bring up this matter in the coming Parliament session.
In view of this, a four-page memorandum was submitted to Foreign Minister Rais Yatim at his office in Putrajaya on Tuesday.
The team which submitted the memorandum consisted of Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam, World Tamil Relief Fund Chairperson S Pasupathi, MIC Youth advisor S Vel Paari and MIC Youth Co-ordinator T Mohan. They also met with the minister for almost an hour.
Rais told reporters later that he would definitely raise the matter with the cabinet.
"No one can tolerate innocent people being killed in war zone areas. In the past we have rendered help to some countries on humanitarian basis," the minister was quoted as saying in news reports.
He said the Foreign Ministry will carry out an in-depth study of the needs of the affected people and make the necessary recommendations to the cabinet.
He also said that Malaysia is on good terms with the Sri Lankan government. "I will convey to them the concern of Malaysians regarding this issue," he added.
Rais added he would take the appropriate steps through the diplomatic channels and vowed to keep the public informed on the developments.
Thousands are suffering
Meanwhile, Subramaniam said thousands of people are suffering in Sri Lanka everyday.
"We and the Tamils there have a social link. Thousands of people have died in the war. People are suffering from starvation. Not enough humanitarian aid has reached them. "To find a political solution, there must be a cease fire," he said, adding that concerned groups want the Malaysian government to intervene and help put a full stop to the bloodshed.
In a related development, DAP parliamentarian Gobind Singh Deo told Malaysiakini last week that he would also raise this issue with the minister.
Apart from this, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy and PKR’s Kapar parliamentarian S Manikavasagam said that they would bring up this matter in the coming Parliament session.
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