KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds gathered near the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Jalan Ampang, here, today to protest against the alleged atrocities committed by the Chinese government against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province.
The two separate protests led by the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) and Hizbur Tahrir Malaysia (HTM) were held to express anger over purported normalisation and re-education of the Muslim minority.
ABIM president Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz urged the Chinese government to open up the so-called re-education camps in Xinjiang to independent observers.
“Be transparent. Stop the persecution of the Uyghurs and uphold the democratic process and the freedom of religion.
“Don’t treat us like we are stupid. We know the many atrocities done by the Chinese government,” he told reporters.
He added that there had been no commitment by the Chinese government to stop abusing human rights, especially for the Uyghurs, despite constant efforts by non-governmental organisations, human rights watch and even the United Nations to reach out to Beijing.
HTM spokesperson Abdul Hakim Othman said the organisation would not remain silent and would continue speaking against the persecution of the Uyghurs.
He urged the Chinese government to immediately stop the torture of Muslim minorities and release them from the alleged concentration camps.
“We know that the Chinese government is lying to the whole world.
“They may say that the concentration camps are just re-education camps, but we know the truth from leaked pictures and videos,” Hakim added.
Both ABIM and HTM submitted memoranda to the Chinese Embassy, but no representative was present to receive them.
Faisal said this was the second time ABIM had submitted a memorandum to the embassy.
“We have contacted embassy officers through official channels, but there was no response.
“This shows that they are not willing to discuss this matter.
“Even today, nobody came to meet us.
“So, we just placed our memoranda at the gate of the embassy,” he added.
Hakim said HTM also sent a memorandum to the prime minister, calling for political commitment to stop diplomatic ties and trade with China, as well as closing down the Chinese embassy here and bringing back the Malaysian ambassador to China.
The memorandum, he added, was sent to the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.
“The (Chinese embassy’s) non-acceptance of our memoranda today is an act of cowardliness.
“This is proof that what’s happening in Xinjiang is true.”
On Tuesday, the embassy had labelled news of the Muslim minorities’ ill-treatment as fake, irresponsible and groundless.
In a statement, the embassy said the Chinese government was always open to recommendations and constructive criticism.
It added that Xinjiang was beautiful as it was peaceful, which made it an ideal travel destination for Malaysians, particularly Muslims.
“There is no restriction for foreigners visiting Xinjiang.
“If Malaysians are interested, you are more than welcome to visit and see the real Xinjiang for yourself, with your own eyes.”