KUALA LUMPUR: Two demonstrations in solidarity with the persecuted Rohingya in Myanmar's Rakhine state have been planned for Friday.

This was announced by Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) at a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre on Thursday.

Also present were Youth leaders from Barisan Nasional's component parties and representatives from non-governmental organisations.

The first protest will take place in front of the United Nations Malaysia building at Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights at 10am.

"The crowd is expected to be smaller, as we want to be able to hand over our memorandum and meet with the UN representative," said Khairy.

The second protest will be held in front of the Myanmar Embassy at Taman U-Thant after Friday prayers at 3pm, and is expected to be much larger, said the Youth and Sports Minister.

"I invite all youths and the Rohingya community to join," he said, adding that Sungai Besar Umno chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunus would be present at the protests.

Khairy said Umno Youth had previously urged a resolution to the crisis last November.

"The situation has worsened, with its climax on Aug 25 where more than 400 houses were burnt, and in two weeks nearly 125,000 Rohingya refugees left Myanmar for Bangladesh. The UN expects this number to surpass 300,000," Khairy added.