AL-led alliance bins Suu Kyi's speech

The ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday rejected Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's first address to the nation after military crackdown in Rakhine State since August 25 that forced thousands of Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh.

In a speech on Tuesday, Suu Kyi condemned rights abuses but did not blame the army or address the allegations of ethnic cleansing.

“Aung San Suu Kyi had not pronounced a word about Rohingyas in her address. Rather she termed the Rohingyas Bangalees. It is not acceptable at any cost; therefore, we are rejecting her speech,” said Health Minister Mohammed Nasim.

Nasim, also spokesperson of 14-party alliance, was briefing reporters after a meeting between 14-party alliance and members of Hindu and Buddhist community ahead of Durga Puja and Prabarana Purnima, at AL president's Dhanmondi office in the capital.

Nasim urged Myanmar to take back their citizens staying in Bangladesh.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working to drum up world opinion to mount pressure on Myanmar government to take back their citizens.

Nasim said communal harmony of the country will remain in place in the days to come and warned that stern actions would be taken if anyone tries to destroy communal peace.

He also hoped that coming Durga Puja and Prabarana Purnima would be held in a peaceful manner.

At the meeting, AL Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury proposed celebrating AL President Sheikh Hasina's birthday as "Humanity Day".

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set an instance of humanitarian act across the globe over the Rohingya issue… I propose that her birthday [September 28] be observed as the 'Humanity Day'," Mahmud told the meeting.