The 37th annual forum of Parliamentarians for Global Action in San Salvador was told yesterday that Malaysia was one of the early signatories of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) but has since developed cold feet on the deed of ratification.

The secretary of the Malaysian chapter of PGA, M Kulasegaran, told the conference entitled ‘Role of Parliamentarians in Support of Peace and Security’ that not even the downing of a Malaysian commercial flight in Ukraine in July last year could prod the government to ratify the treaty it had signed but has yet to endorse in Parliament.

“The Arms Trade Treaty is designed to regulate the trade in conventional weapons,” said Kulasegaran

“By that measure it would prevent conventional weapons from falling into the hands of non-state belligerents and actors,” he added.

“The rebels in Ukraine who brought down MH17 in July last year, killing 283 passengers and 15 crew members, fall into the category of non-state actors.

“They used a Buk missile which is a conventional weapon to bring down the plane. Had Malaysia been a ratifier of the treaty and not just a signatory, the country would be in a better position to press its case for justice for victims and perpetrators in the MH17 saga,” argued Kulasegaran.

He said to date, 78 signatory countries have ratified the ATT and 54 signatories have yet to move their parliaments to ratify it.

He said Malaysia was the first South-East Asian country to become a signatory when the treaty was opened for adherence in July 2013.

He said the excuse proffered for tardiness in accession to the treaty was the process of harmonisation of its articles with domestic legislation.

“It’s true this process of harmonisation takes time but it should not take an inordinate span as is the case by now,” said Kulasegaran.

He said the treaty was enforced on Dec 24, 2014, which means that almost a year has lapsed since its enforcement.

“Malaysia should not drag its feet any more. Our parliamentarians must lobby relentlessly to make the country match deed to word and accede to the treaty,” he asserted.