STATEMENT BY
MR. ABDUL HALIM ABDUL RAHMAN
DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL (SECURITY)
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
ON AGENDA ITEM 121:
THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY
AT THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH SESSION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 22 JUNE 2023
Mr. President,
Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). We wish to also extend our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report as contained in document A/77/789.
2. Malaysia welcomes the consensual adoption of resolution L.78 on the eighth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS) this morning. We thank the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of Canada and Tunisia, for their efforts in steering the review, and all delegations for their contributions towards the process. Seventeen years after the adoption of the Strategy in 2006, the periodical reviews have helped ensure that we have a common and agile roadmap and plan of action to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism conducive to terrorism.
3. While we have again managed to adopt this text without a vote, it certainly has not been easy. As others have noted, the prospect of adopting this resolution by a vote continues to increase at every review. It is more important now than ever that we continue to galvanise our collective and political will behind the Strategy, and to send a strong message of our unity in combatting the scourge of terrorism.
Mr. President,
4. Malaysia strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. These heinous acts have brought nothing but the loss of innocent lives and the destruction of the socio-economic fabric of affected communities. It is important that we build effective and resilient counter-terrorism institutions to face the evolving global terrorism landscape.
5. Combating this borderless threat requires strengthened cooperation through regional and multilateral platforms, including by enhancing the exchange of information, sharing of expertise, and improving counter messaging mechanisms. As a State Party to 11 of the 19 counter-terrorism instruments, and a Party to the 2007 ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism, Malaysia has strengthened its national legal framework as well as reinforced its bilateral and multilateral cooperation with international law enforcement authorities in investigations and prosecutions of terrorist suspects.
6. Our policymakers and enforcement agencies are also paying close attention to the threat of misuse of information and communication technologies, in particular the Internet and social media, by terrorist groups to incite, radicalise, recruit, commit and fund terrorist acts.
Mr. President,
7. Malaysia is committed to tackling the threats of terrorism through ‘the whole-of-government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ approach. Our primary counter-terrorism efforts continue to be focused on preventive and prescriptive measures. Countering the narratives of terrorists and extremists, carrying out programmes aimed at deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of former Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs), as well as advocating mainstream religious views, in particular among youth and other vulnerable groups, are some of the measures undertaken in this regard.
8. This soft approach strategy is in line with the “Malaysia Madani” or “Civil Malaysia” vision outlined by the Hounourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, which underscores values and compassion in humanity such as fairness, respect, as well as just and effective governance. This vision also forms the foundation of Malaysia’s soon to be launched National Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE).
9. The National Action Plan, premised on four pillars namely prevention, enforcement, rehabilitation and reinforcement, outlines the diverse roles, strategies and initiatives that different stakeholders should undertake in ensuring that Malaysia is able to fully contain and address the threats presented by violent extremism ideologies. The National Action Plan serves as the main guideline in coordinating roles, strategies and action initiatives by various quarters including the government, private sector, media, education sector and community groups.
10. As a multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-religious country, Malaysia strongly believes that mutual understanding, respect and tolerance among religions, cultures and peoples are crucial in cultivating unity and harmony and thus curbing the spread of violent extremism ideology in Malaysia. We stress that terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism cannot and must not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation, or ethnic group.
Mr. President,
11. Malaysia reaffirms its support towards the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and remains committed towards countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism, towards achieving global peace and harmony.
I thank you, Mr. President.
