SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak flagged off the Rohingya Humanitarian Aid Mission and special delegation to visit the Malaysian field hospital in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

The team comprises 57 representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Malaysian armed forces led by Jeneral Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh.

The mission will evaluate the impact of assistance provided by Malaysia, besides ensuring the field hospital is equipped with adequate resources to tackle medical issues involving the refugees.

This is in line with commitments by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to provide medical supplies for the hospital.

Najib said the two countries joined Malaysia in showing Muslim solidarity and expressing their concern over the Rohingya refugee issue.

“They (Saudi Arabia and UAE) are with us and we have proposed for them to join Malaysia in expressing their concerns.

All smiles: Hishammuddin bidding farewell to Yeoh before the mission’s flight to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

“This is also to show Muslim solidarity and Alhamdulillah, they responded very positively,” he said in his message.

In a press statement, Yeoh said she expressed her wishes to the Prime Minister to visit the field hospital and the refugees.

“This is the time to act, and I call on all states to act quickly to channel much needed aid to the children, women and old folk who are hanging on to hope,” Yeoh said.

Ten tonnes of medical supplies and basic necessities were flown from the Subang Air Force base yesterday, the third since the hospital was set up last year in Ukhia in Cox’s Bazar.

Najib said he asked the armed forces chief to report on Feb 16 on whether the mission should go on.

Jeneral Raja Mohamed Affandi said the new aid would increase the hospital’s capabilities.

“The UAE gave us an ambulance and 4WD vehicles, which will allow us to extend our reach,” he added.

The field hospital has been running since Nov 31 last year.

Malaysia has mobilised a total of RM18mil in equipment, including the field hospital’s assets and equipment for the aid mission.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Md Shahidul Islam, who also attended the event, expressed his country’s deep appreciation for the quick response to the Rohingya refugee issue.

“Malaysia is the first country to respond to the cause, and it has had a positive effect,” said Shahidul.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the hospital has treated and saved more than 3,500 patients.