Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan, Sept 7 (Antara) - The South Kalimantan Muslim Solidarity Forum has strongly condemned the genocide and violence against Muslim Rohingyas in Rakhine State, Myanmar.
Members of the forum staged a rally in solidarity with the Rohingya ethnic minority in front of the South Kalimantan provincial legislative council office, here, Thursday.
Burhanuddin, speaker of the South Kalimantan Legislative Council, read out a statement issued by the forum. The statement was signed by Sumpuno, head of the South Kalimantan Buddhist Association, among others.
The forum urged the Indonesian government to sever diplomatic ties with the Government of Myanmar and to expel the ambassador of Myanmar to Indonesia for failing to stop the atrocities on Rohingyas.
They also urged the government to take concrete steps to stop crimes against humanity in Rakhine.
The protestors called for the revocation of the Noble Peace Prize awarded to Myanmar`s de-facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Indonesian president should coordinate with the UN to take the Myanmar regime, particularly the military and Buddhist extremists, to the International Criminal Court for the massacre of Rohingyas, including children and women.
Among the protestors were former deputy mayor of Banjarmasin Alwi Sahlan and lawyers: Saberi Noor Herman and Abdullah.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi visited Myanmar to meet State Counselor and Foreign Minister Suu Kyi and several high-ranking officials on Monday to address the ongoing armed skirmishes in Rakhine State.
Indonesia has submitted a proposal to Myanmar calling to apply the Formula 4+1 in Rakhine State to restore peace and allow immediate access to humanitarian assistance in the conflict-hit region.
The formula includes four main elements to recover security and stability, maximize self-restraint and avoid use of force, protect all citizens of Myanmar regardless of ethnicity and religion, as well as open access for humanitarian assistance.
One positive element is to implement the recommendations from the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State led by former UN security general Kofi Annan.
"The authority of Myanmar should stop any form of violence, which occurs in Rakhine State, and provide protection to all in society, including Muslims," Marsudi remarked.
