STATEMENT BY YB DATO ABDUL RAHMAN DAHLAN, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT MALAYSIA
AT THE UN 65th GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S SIXTH COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM 107: MEASURES TO ELIMINATE INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
5 OCTOBER 2010.
Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, allow me to align my delegation's statement with the statements made by Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and by Syria on behalf of the OIC. Malaysia takes note of the Report of the Secretary-General on "Measures to Eliminate Terrorism", as contained in document A/65/175.
2.Malaysia would like to thank the Chairman of the Working Group, Ambassador Rohan Perera and the Coordinator Ms. Maria Telalian, for their continuous efforts to finalize the draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism (CCIT). Malaysia is convinced that continuous efforts aimed at bridging the gap across the division of views will ultimately result in success.
3.Malaysia takes note of the significant efforts undertaken by Member States to implement General Assembly resolution 64/118 – "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism". Malaysia also records its appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General in fulfilling the mandate under General Assembly resolution 49/60 of 9 December 1994 and acknowledges the Report of the Secretary-General on the measures taken at the national and international levels on combating international terrorism. The feedback received from relevant international organizations on the implementation of the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism is also helpful for the consideration of Member States. Malaysia further notes the report of the Ad Hoc Committee [A/65/37] which met at the United Nations Headquarters from 12 to 16 April 2010 for the 14th session.
4.As a measure of progress in the international coordination of the fight against terrorism, Malaysia welcomes the adoption of the Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Relating to International Civil Aviation (Beijing Convention) and the Protocol Supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft (Beijing Protocol) during the Diplomatic Conference on Aviation Security under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Beijing on 10 September 2010. The treaties have updated the existing sectoral conventions by specifically criminalizing the act of using civil aircraft as a weapon, and of using dangerous materials to attack aircraft or other targets on the ground. Unfortunately as is in all crime-fighting measures, it is one step behind the creativity of the criminals.
Mr. Chairman,
5.This past year has seen a disturbing continuation, if not escalation, of incidents of suicide bombings, assassinations and coordinated attacks against civilians and civilian property causing fear and loss of human lives especially in the conflict areas such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Military might cannot singularly solve this problem. The root causes of recourse to violence to achieve objectives must be effectively addressed. This must be one of the United Nations' raison d'être as it pursues the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy of 8 September 2006. In Malaysia's view, preventive measures such as de-radicalization and preventing the increasing terrorist use of the Internet to disseminate propaganda and carry out recruitment as well as to acquire financial and logistical support, should be further explored and be given equal if not more emphasis. Long-term responses may also reside in democratization, education, improving economic conditions, and resolving regional conflicts such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Mr. Chairman,
6.In spite of Malaysia's best efforts to maintain close surveillance on terrorists' activities, Malaysia is aware that the insidious operation of terrorists slips through cracks in the legal systems and enforcement mechanism at the slightest relaxation of vigilance or complacency as seen in the case of Jemaah Islamiyah, al-Qaeda and Abu Sayyaf.
As part of its main preventive strategy, Malaysia established the Special Task Force for Operations and Counter-Terrorism under the Royal Malaysia Police on 1 March 2009. The Special Task Force is very much at the forefront on counter terrorism. The Special Task Force functions to enhance operational and intelligence strategies against terrorism, organised crime and money laundering as well as to strengthen existing ties and foster new relationships of mutual cooperation with international and other states' law enforcement and counter-terrorism components.
Mr. Chairman,
With reference to Paragraph 10(a) of General Assembly resolution A/RES/49/60, Malaysia is undertaking legislative action to amend the relevant laws to enable it to accede to the remaining international counter-terrorism conventions. Further legislative action is also being considered with reference to the Beijing Convention and the Beijing Protocol that were recently adopted.
With regard to the elaboration of the draft CCIT, Malaysia looks forward to further constructive deliberations at the Sixth Committee. As demonstrated at the recent ICAO Conference, the differences that have stale-mated the process at the Sixth Committee are not insurmountable and Malaysia is optimistic that the way forward lies in addressing the legitimate concerns of all the parties involved.
Mr. Chairman,
Malaysia reiterates the importance of convening a high-level conference under the auspices of the United Nations and in this regard supports Egypt's proposal. We are of the view that the conference will serve as an important way forward to address the challenges handicapping global counter terrorism efforts. Therefore the convening of the conference should not be made to hinge on the conclusion of the CCIT.
Countering terrorism and addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism require a global collaborative effort. Success in defeating terrorism can only be achieved if the conditions conducive to terrorism, including unresolved conflicts, are addressed. To this end, the overriding principle is and always should be that measures against terrorism should not violate the sanctity of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.
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