VP Kalla Supports Construction of Indonesia Hospital in Rakhine State, Myanmar

Jakarta, 09 Ramadan 1437/14 June 2016 (MINA) – Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed his support to a plan to build an Indonesian Hospital in Mrauk-U in Rakhine State, Myanmar, to promote interfaith harmony and peace.

Kalla would help by providing medical equipment and so will the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Presidium of the humanitarian organization Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) Dr Sarbini Abdul Murab stated after meeting the vice president, here, Monday.

The MERC would carry out humanitarian activities through cooperation with the Indonesian Buddhist Association to demonstrate that Muslims and Buddhists in Indonesia live harmoniously and peacefully, Antara was quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

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“We want to contribute to Myanmars community. One of the means of reconciliation is by acting by example that Indonesia is a big nation, and all religions in the country can get along harmoniously. Religion and democracy are the individual rights of all,” he said.

MER-C has bought a plot of land in Mrauk-U and has received support from the Rakhine government. The NGO needs funds worth Rp20 billion-Rp30 billion to construct the hospital.

This will be the second Indonesia Hospital for MER-C, which has successfully built its first hospital in Gaza, with funds donated by the Indonesian people.

There is widespread hostility towards Rohingya Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country, including among some within Suu Kyis party and its supporters, Reuters reported last May.

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Myanmars Rohingya population in Rakhine State has been denied citizenship by the Myanmar regime, and thousands of them have fled persecution and poverty, often by boat to other parts of Southeast Asia.

Faced with apartheid-like restrictions that limit access to jobs, education and healthcare, thousands have braved perilous boat journeys in search of better lives among other things in Malaysia and Indonesia. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)