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20210901 - PRESS STATEMENT BY YB FM

I extend my humblest appreciation to His Majesty Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consenting to my appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I also extend my profound gratitude to YAB Prime Minister Dato' Seri Ismail Sabri for the trust placed in me by appointing me to lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). I take this opportunity to convey my highest appreciation and gratefulness to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for his confidence in me to head the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) previously.


In line with YAB Prime Minister's directive for a productive first 100 days in office, my immediate task is to establish the foreign policy framework for this administration. This framework will provide guidance on Malaysia’s direction, focus and approaches on foreign policy. It is not a new foreign policy. The central theme is "focus in continuity".


'Continuity' will look at the medium to long term. Malaysia will continue to practice its long-held fundamental principles in its international relations. For example, maintaining good relations with all parties; upholding Malaysia's interests in terms of sovereignty, survival, and security; its economic interests and the rakyat's prosperity; and protecting as well promoting the nation's identity and reputation among the international community.


'Focus' will deal with short-term priorities and challenges. To manage the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts, we will focus primarily on 'health diplomacy'. For the economy, we will emphasise on investments in the digital economy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030. Cybersecurity will be a security focal point. We will also promote 'cultural diplomacy' to boost our national identity. As for world peace, we will articulate the concept of 'peaceful coexistence' in the context of multilateralism.


We at MOFA will adopt an open and consultative (Syura) approach with all stakeholders, be it at home or overseas. This includes enhancing the role of the business sector and civil society. To this end, I will establish a Foreign Policy Consultative Council, which will include MOFA officials, academicians, businessmen and civil society representatives. The first meeting will be held on 3 September 2021. In addition, I will propose to the Cabinet to establish a Parliamentary Select Committee on International Affairs.

 


DATO’ SAIFUDDIN ABDULLAH

1 SEPTEMBER 2021


9/2/21

LIST OF CONVENTIONS / TREATIES THAT HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO BAHASA MELAYU

Ratified by Malaysia

1. Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW
   
2. Convention on the Rights of the Child, CRC
 
2.1 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostiitution and child pornography
2.2 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict ; and
   
3. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD 
   
4. Geneva Convention
 
4.1 Geneva Convention For The Amelioration Of The Condition Of The Wounded And Sick In Armed Forces In The Field Of 12 August 1949
4.2 Geneva Convention For The Amelioration Of The Condition Of Wounded, Sick And Shipwrecked Members Of Armed Forces At Sea Of 12 August 1949
4.3 Geneva Convention Relative To The Treatment Of Prisoners Of War Of 12 August 1949
4.4 Geneva Convention Relative To The Protection Of Civilian Persons In Time Of War Of 12 August 1949
   

Yet to ratify

5. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 
   
6. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW 
   
7. Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure
   
8. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment – CAT
 
8.1 Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
   
9. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - ICCPR
 
9.1 Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: and
9.2 Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of death penalty
   
10. International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - ICERD
   
11. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - ICESR
 
11.1 Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
   
12. International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance - ICPED
   
13. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families - ICRMW
   
14. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951;
 
14.1 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1967
   
15. Rome Statute
   

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