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PRESS RELEASE : STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON THE UNITED STATES TRAVEL ADVISORY 2019

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON THE UNITED STATES TRAVEL ADVISORY 2019

 

1.         The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia strongly protests the decision of the US government to subject Malaysia in the newly introduced “K” indicator. This was announced in the travel advisory issued by the US Department of State on 9 April 2019. This reflects the US government’s concern about potential kidnapping or hostage-taking situations in certain areas of eastern Sabah.

 

2.         This new travel advisory lacks objectivity. It does not reflect the reality on the ground particularly the security situation in eastern Sabah which remains safe and protected for tourists. This is borne by the fact that the number of tourist arrivals in Sabah has grown by 5.5 percent, reaching 3.87 million last year.  Further, the number of kidnapping incidents has dropped significantly to almost nil. Eastern Sabah continues to attract world-class divers.

 

3.         This success has been the result of proactive measures taken by the Malaysian Government. These include the increased number of patrols, closer security cooperation with neighbouring countries and the strategic positioning of security assets to secure the areas.

 

4.         Given these facts, Malaysia urges the US to be more objective in its assessment. We urge the US to immediately remove Malaysia from the “K” list.

 

5.         The US Ambassador to Malaysia will be summoned to provide clarification about the new travel advisory.

 

PUTRAJAYA

14 APRIL 2019


4/14/19

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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