Our tigers have been urged to withdraw from the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016 by the Perlis Mufti, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, this was seconded by the PAS Kulim-Bandar Baharu. He said the boycott was crucial as a sign of protest against the way Myanmar treats the already oppressed Rohingya community in the country.
The Rohingyas are a Muslim ethnic minority in the predominantly Buddhist state of Myanmar. They are believed to have migrated from Bengal to Myanmar during the British rule; while others say they originated from the Rakhine State in Myanmar.
“Rohingya people including women and children have been raped, burnt alive and brutalised with various kinds of crimes against humanity in Myanmar. What is the meaning of sports without humanity,” he was quoted as saying.
While he does have a point, urging the Harimau Malaysia to withdraw from the AFF Suzuki Cup is ineffective and preposterous. Here’s why:
It cannot be solved with a football-tournament boycott
It’s over 60 years of relentless conflict. The Rohingya oppression goes all the way back to 1948. Yes, it didn’t just start one or two years ago.
Since the independence of Burma, the Rohingyas have been ostracised. The government considers them as illegal immigrants, they are denied citizenship, they must obtain permission to get married and have children, they are often subjected to forced labour, physical and sexual violence.
The boycotting may have a short term effect on Myanmar, as there will be media attention and hence put some pressure on the government. But it’s not a long-term solution, which is what we really want for an oppressed community.
It doesn’t seem like we REALLY care
If we really take the plight of the Rohingyas in Myanmar seriously, rally the people to protest at the Burmese embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The protest should be consistent, not only when there’s a football match in Myanmar.
Urge all Malaysians to stop holidaying in Myanmar. Send a petition to urge ASEAN to expel Myanmar for its atrocious human rights violations. Send a petition to urge Aung San Suu Kyi to end the violence in her country. Write to PM Najib Razak and get him to bring it up at the next ASEAN Summit.
There are many practical ways to express our censure against the treatment of Rohingyas, but using our football team is not one of them.
We are still doing business with Myanmar – and helping them prosper
If we really are serious about boycott, this is where it will really hit them. But bear in mind, Myanmar and Malaysia have a long-standing relationship and we have been helping the country to grow via economic trades.
For an effective protest, how about we urge the government to stop buying rubber, fish, clothes, timber, corn, tamarind and everything else that Myanmar has been exporting to us. Urge the government to investing in Myanmar altogether.
The Rohingyas conflict in Myanmar is appalling, and I support any practical solution to end their suffering. But I urge everyone to leave our football team out of this.
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