STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON AGENDA ITEM 109:
MEASURES TO ELIMINATE INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
SIXTH COMMITTEE, GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 9 OCTOBER 2019
Mr. Chair,
1. At the outset, my delegation wishes to congratulate you on your election as the Chair of the 6th Committee. We will render our full cooperation and support to you and the Bureau in the work of this Committee.
2. Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Iran on behalf of NAM, Saudi Arabia on behalf of OIC, and Cambodia on behalf of ASEAN.
Mr. Chair,
3. Malaysia joins other delegations in condemning all acts, methods and practices of terrorism irrespective of where, when or whomever commits it. Given the brutality and cost on innocent lives and property, no hideous act of terrorism can ever be acceptable or justified.
4. In April this year, Malaysia co-sponsored UNGA Resolution 73/285 entitled “Combating Terrorism and Other Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief”. Our support towards the resolution underscores our position that acts of terror and violence based on religion or beliefs must be rejected in their entirety.
5. Malaysia reiterates that the fight against terrorism will not end until the root causes are addressed. In the recently concluded General Debate, the Prime Minister of Malaysia clearly said that military actions and sanctions will continue to fail in stopping terrorism so long as the causes are not identified and removed. Until we do, the vicious cycle of terror and violence will never end.
Mr. Chair,
6. Malaysia is committed to combatting terrorism through “whole-of-nation” approach. This includes strengthening our national legal frameworks as well as our bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation.
7. In Malaysia, terrorism is specifically criminalised under the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2014. As we believe that preventive measures are more effective in addressing the terrorist threat, numerous laws, which are consistent with our international obligations, have been enacted. At the regional level, Malaysia is a Party to the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism since 11 January 2013. At the international level, Malaysia is a State Party to 10 out of 19 international legal instruments concerning counter-terrorism.
8. Malaysia supports the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We are optimistic that the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCTC), under the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), will provide the envisioned leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates. We look forward to seeing enhanced coordination as well as strengthened delivery of counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States.
9. Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF) remains a challenge for us and the region. In order to counter the spread of harmful ideologies to the public at large, winning the hearts and minds of both the returning FTFs and the public have been central to all our efforts.
10. To this effect, our law enforcement agencies conduct regular engagements with the public. These include reaching out to students and educators in higher learning institutions so that they are aware and wary of the spread of these harmful ideologies. We have also enhanced our deradicalization and rehabilitation programmes throughout the three phases, namely prior and during detention, as well as post-release.
Mr. Chair,
11. My delegation continues to believe on the need to conclude the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) which would assist in filling the gaps in existing treaties. In this regard, Malaysia welcomes the establishment of a Working Group under this Committee at this session, with a view to finalizing the process on the draft CCIT.
12. Our position on the draft convention remains the same in that the definition of terrorism must be all encompassing to cover acts committed by States and non-State actors alike. Distinction must be made between terrorism and the legitimate struggle of people under foreign occupation for self-determination. Terrorism should also not be associated with any beliefs, ethnic group or nationality.
13. We also support the Working Group in continuing to discuss the question of convening a high-level conference under the auspices of the United Nations. Malaysia is of the view that the conference will serve as an important way forward to address the challenges handicapping global counter-terrorism efforts. Malaysia views the inaugural High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies on 28-29 June 2018 as a positive step towards this end.
14. Nevertheless, the convening of the conference should not be made to hinge on the conclusion of the CCIT. Malaysia is convinced that continuous efforts aimed at bridging the gap across the division of views will ultimately result in success.
15. To conclude, I would like to reaffirm my delegation’s unwavering commitment and continued support towards the work of the United Nations in combating terrorism.
Thank you.