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I wish to refer to the above.

In reference to the questions pertaining Malaysia’s foreign policies raised in the recent article entitled ‘Minister, who really is ISIS?’ in Malaysiakini by KJ John dated Aug 19, 2014, I wish to clarify on a number of concerns raised by the writer.

With regard to Malaysia paying a few hundred million for the release of our cockpit recorders for the downed MH17, I wish to reiterate that no monetary exchange had transpired for the release of the black box of MH17 and it is important that the public are made of aware of this clarification.

In the article, it forwarded the question if negotiating with International terrorists’ is a part of Malaysia’s new foreign policy and here I would like to emphasize that Malaysia in principle does not negotiate with terrorists and based on our position on that matter, we have taken an active role in discussions relating to international terrorism at various regional and international foras, including at the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Apec and Asean.

We will continue to work closely with our international partners to counter terrorism in all its dimensions and addressing the causes that lead to acts of terrorism.

With regard to the case of MH17, this was an unprecedented tragedy that left us with no other option but to engage with all parties concerned in Ukraine. This engagement was done with the sole purpose of recovering the remains of the passengers on board MH17. Extraordinary situations warrant extraordinary measures.

The writer had also claimed that Malaysia has not ratified many international agreements and conventions and asked why as the writer believed was there a delay especially with Malaysia bidding for a seat not only on the UN Human Rights Council but also the UN Security Council non-permanent seat.

My response to this claim by the writer is that Malaysia continues to give serious consideration of our participation in the various international instruments that are beneficial to the people of Malaysia. The practice is to ensure that the provisions of all international instruments that are to be ratified or acceded must be of national interest and fully implementable within the framework of law and policies of the country.  

This decision is taken after careful consideration is given to the realistic and practical aspects of the implementation of such instruments and that the needed changes of domestic law and policies can be undertaken to ensure that Malaysia is a responsible state party to such international instruments.

We also favorably consider the elements contained in international instruments for inclusion in current laws and policies as an effort to shape new laws and policies to be in sync with international standards that ultimately will make it easier for us to commit to the relevant international instrument.

Malaysia’s commitment to participate in any international instrument has always been based on the conviction to provide for a better future for all Malaysians. There are more than 50,000 international instruments covering different aspects of international obligations on human activities.

In respect of international instruments on terrorism and human rights and I wish to highlight that Malaysia has ratified or acceded to 15 international instruments concerning terrorism and human rights, and we are at various stages of consideration of the remaining instruments. We continue to work together with the relevant government agencies and authorities in considering Malaysia’s readiness to be party to them.

Our efforts to be part of international bodies such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) is in line with Malaysia’s wish to play a bigger role in the international community and to contribute credibly to the work of such bodies.

Effective international action

On the Islamic terrorist groups like ISIS, Boko Haram or even the Yemeni pirates, Malaysia condemns all acts, methods and practices of terrorism. Fighting terrorism demands effective international action that is in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and universally recognized principles governing international relations and international law.

With regards to piracy, Malaysia is a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) and Article 100 of UNCLOS provides that all States shall cooperate to the fullest possible extent in the repression of piracy on the high seas or in any place outside the jurisdiction of any state.

As a State Party to UNCLOS, we support international efforts against piracy in line with Article 100 of UNCLOS and the relevant international legal framework. Malaysia has also contributed to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) assets and personnel in international anti-piracy cooperation including ‘Op Fajar’ in the Gulf of Aden.

Malaysia’s efforts against piracy with international partners under the relevant international legal framework, have been acknowledged as successful.

A notable example of this international success included the 2011 rescue of MT Bunga Laurel - a MISC-operated tanker that was boarded by armed men off the coast of Oman. The RMN was at the time part of a multinational anti-piracy patrol and responded to the distress call by Bunga Laurel. The attackers were eventually overpowered and apprehended by RMN’s Special Forces troops without any loss of human lives.   

On the question and information request regarding ISIL/ ISIS by the writer, ISIL/IS or The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant is a splinter jihadist group from Al-Qaeda in Iraq which was formed in 2013. Its members include thousands of local and foreign jihadist fighters and many former army members under Saddam Hussein.

ISIL has become one of the main jihadist groups fighting the government forces in Iraq and Syria and as their name connotes, the purpose of the ISIL is to create an Islamic State in Iraq and in ‘the Levant’ - an Eastern Mediterranean region stretching from Southern Turkey to Egypt. It has been reported that ISIS/ISIL has captured cities populated by Sunni populations in Iraq including Mosul, Anbar, Qaim, Tirkit, Salah Ad-din, Mosul, Diyal, Baiji and Tal Afar in Iraq.  

Taking advantage of the escalating situation in Syria, it was also reported that they seized several other provinces in Syria. On June 30, 2014, ISIL has announced the establishment of a ‘caliphate’, which stretches from Diyala province in Iraq to Aleppo in Syria, and subsequently changed their name to ‘Islamic State’ (IS).

The government of Malaysia classifies the ISIL/IS as a terrorist organisation and Malaysia have spared no effort on our part to arrest suspected ISIL/IS members in Malaysia.

It has come to light that some Malaysian has been influenced to support the ISIL/IS, joining this extremist group as jihadists, in support of the war waged against the Shiites but since early 2014, the Malaysian authorities have conducted operations to arrest Malaysians and foreigners living in Malaysia for suspected terrorist activities.

Malaysia stand strongly on condemning any act of terrorism and violence by the ISIL as militant and terrorist group which have caused injuries and losses to the innocent civilians in Iraq. We also strongly support the Resolution 2170 by the United Nations pertaining ISIL/IS and Malaysia abhors and does not condone terrorism and extremism.

On this issue, our position has been exemplified in many of Malaysia’s statements and policies. In line with our position, the Government of Malaysia has also called for a Global Movement of the Moderates and would continue to advocate for moderation and tolerance, and reject extremism and radicalism in all its forms.

As a peace-loving country that practices moderation, we do not condone all forms of terrorism or extremism by any party, including its own nationals. We believe in a multifaceted approach in combating terrorism by addressing the underlying contributing factors that support terrorism; undertaking strict and firm enforcement measures; adopting and implementing legislative measures; enhancing the capacity of law enforcement agencies; and enhancing inter-agency cooperation.

We also believe that terrorism needs to be addressed in a more comprehensive manner and not through the use of force alone. There is a need to undertake developmental efforts that would address social and economic needs, which is, a dominant factor for people engaging in terrorism. Winning the hearts and minds of the people is more effective than all other measures combined.

On the comment made based on the interview with Ayub Khan concerning the possible threats by Malaysian jihadists, it is to be made known that we are always monitoring and on alert to activities that could potentially threaten the sovereignty and security of the country and its people.

Necessary action will always be taken by the Malaysian government against any potential threats including questionable activities from a very early stage to ensure that Malaysia’s way of life is not threatened.

We have also always maintained that measures against international terrorism should not infringe upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and that terrorism should not be associated with any race, culture or religion as this will only heighten the possibility of a world being polarised along religious or ethnic lines, which in turn would propagate further unrest and violence.


ANIFAH AMAN is Foreign Affairs Minister, Malaysia.

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