Academic supports move by MPs on Petronas pullout from Myanmar

UM's lecturer says it should be supported, but economists warn of dangerous precedent if it goes ahead.

PETALING JAYA: As a matter of principle, Petronas should pull out from Myanmar over the atrocities committed against the Rohingya, which are a gross violation of human rights, says an academic.

It makes sense what these MPs have done. It is extremely noble in fact and should be welcomed, says Gomez.

Universiti Malaya’s Prof Edmund Terence Gomez said whatever was happening in Myanmar cannot be quantified in monetary terms but the point is the message behind such a move.

“What is important here is that a statement is being made to the Myanmar government that their actions will not be tolerated.

“So, it makes sense what these MPs have done. It is extremely noble in fact and should be welcomed,” Gomez told FMT.

Yesterday, 47 opposition MPs had petitioned Petronas to pull out from Myanmar until its government recognises the rights of the Rohingya.

PKR’s Rafizi Ramli, who spoke for the group, said they had written to Petronas chief executive officer and president Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin seeking a meeting to discuss the issue.

Hoo believes Rafizi is just using the issue for political gain as Najib had already done his part to help the Rohingya refugees.

“Petronas has invested in several projects in Myanmar. However, only the Yetagun gas field in the Andaman Sea is in production,” Rafizi told a news conference in Parliament yesterday.

The Pandan MP said returns from Petronas’ investments in Myanmar were insignificant and it could afford to quit the country without suffering a major impact.

“Petronas, as a flag carrier for the nation, should not do business with a country whose actions we detest,” Rafizi said.

Gomez said Petronas should be very careful when investing in countries that have a poor record of human rights.

He also questioned why Putrajaya had not spoken about its investment in Myanmar, despite being so vocal about the Rohingya issue.

“So if the government is sincere about helping the Rohingya, it should take a strong stand on such issues, as presented in the argument by the opposition MPs,” said Gomez.

Rohingya a political issue

Wong Chen: You can’t condemn a country and then go and make money from that same country.

PKR commerce and investment bureau chief Wong Chen, who had signed the petition, shared the same sentiments as Gomez, adding that Prime Minister Najib Razak should “put his money where his mouth is”.

Otherwise, he said, Najib was just turning this Rohingya issue into a political matter.

When questioned about the terms of the contract between Petronas and Myanmar, Wong Chen admitted he wasn’t too sure about it.

“But there needs to be a commitment. You can’t condemn a country and then go and make money from that same country,” the Kelana Jaya MP told FMT.

Economist Hoo Ke Ping believes Rafizi was just using the issue for political gain as Najib had already done his part to help the Rohingya refugees.

“Rafizi can only give his opinion. The professionals will have to decide, and his opinion has not been professional most of the time.

“Najib had gone to meet US President Donald Trump and the United Nations to help the Rohingya. No other leader has done that much for them,” he told FMT.

Navaratnam says it is not healthy to mix business with politics, adding it is a toxic mixture.

Prominent Malaysian economist Ramon Navaratnam said it was not healthy to mix business with politics, adding it was a toxic mixture.

If Petronas quit Myanmar, it would set a difficult precedent, he added.

He said the government should take note of the opposition MPs’ petition and work through diplomatic channels to bring more pressure on the Myanmar government to be more fair to the persecuted Rohingya.

“Unless there are UN sanctions against Myanmar, there is little to be gained in taking any unilateral action on our part,” he said.

Since Aug 25, 610,000 people have fled Myanmar and arrived at Bangladesh refugee camps. This followed a military crackdown in Rakhine state, in response to earlier attacks by Rohingya militants.

The UN estimates the majority of Rohingya once living in Rakhine state – estimated at around one million – have fled the campaign of violence that it likened to ethnic cleansing.

MPs petition Petronas to quit Myanmar over treatment of Rohingya

UN turns up pressure on Myanmar over Rohingya crisis

Zahid: No agreement to welcome more Rohingya here

Bangladesh not alone in Rohingya crisis, says Najib

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Sumber Academic supports move by MPs on Petronas pullout from Myanmar

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