KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is considering pulling out of a soccer tournament co-hosted by Myanmar in protest at its crackdown on ethnic Rohingya Muslims, a senior Malaysian official said on Wednesday, risking a possible global ban by the sport’s governing body, FIFA.
A withdrawal by Muslim-majority Malaysia from the ASEAN Football Federation’s (AFF) Suzuki Cup, which began on Saturday, would run counter to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ long-standing policy of non-interference in other members’ affairs.
Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he raised the issue last week, but a decision would only be made at a Cabinet meeting on Friday.
“While we’ve known for a while that Myanmar will be the host, this (decision) is based on recent reports from the Rakhine that showed proof of attacks, that reportedly show evidence of genocide,” Khairy told reporters.
“But whatever they decide, we must continue to speak up,” he added.
Malaysia lost 1-0 to Vietnam on Wednesday but can still advance to the semifinals. They face Myanmar on Saturday in their last group game.
The conflict in Myanmar’s northwestern state of Rakhine has sent hundreds of Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh and poses a serious challenge to Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who swept to power last year on promises of national reconciliation.
A withdrawal by Muslim-majority Malaysia from the ASEAN Football Federation’s (AFF) Suzuki Cup, which began on Saturday, would run counter to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ long-standing policy of non-interference in other members’ affairs.
Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he raised the issue last week, but a decision would only be made at a Cabinet meeting on Friday.
“While we’ve known for a while that Myanmar will be the host, this (decision) is based on recent reports from the Rakhine that showed proof of attacks, that reportedly show evidence of genocide,” Khairy told reporters.
“But whatever they decide, we must continue to speak up,” he added.
Malaysia lost 1-0 to Vietnam on Wednesday but can still advance to the semifinals. They face Myanmar on Saturday in their last group game.
The conflict in Myanmar’s northwestern state of Rakhine has sent hundreds of Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh and poses a serious challenge to Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who swept to power last year on promises of national reconciliation.
