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STATEMENT BY

 

H.E. SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE FOURTH COMMITTEE OF THE 76TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

ON THE JOINT GENERAL DEBATE ON ITEMS 50 - 61

 

27 OCTOBER 2021, NEW YORK

 

 

 

 

Madam Chair,

 

At the outset, Malaysia congratulates you on your election as Chair of the Committee as well as to members of the Bureau.

 

2.         Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Azerbaijan and Indonesia, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), respectively.

 

Madam Chair,

 

3.         Malaysia reaffirms the significance of outer space and the need to protect it in the common interest of all mankind. We will continue to advocate for the prevention of an arms race and placement of weapons of any kind in outer space.  In this regard, Malaysia recognises the important role of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in ensuring that the use of outer space remain exclusively for peaceful purposes.

 

4.         Malaysia has been actively involved and participated in numerous space initiatives and programmess for peaceful uses of outer space. These include initiatives and programmes that are linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Guidelines on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities and Guidelines for the Topic Protection of the Atmosphere.

 

Madam Chair,

 

5.         Allow me to share some developments with regard to outer space activities in Malaysia. We are in the process of adopting a national legislation to regulate space activities in the country.  The second hearing of the draft Malaysian Space Board Bill by the Malaysian Parliament will take place this year. The Bill will enable Malaysia to fulfil our international obligations and further allow Malaysia to ratify or accede to the relevant international instruments relating to space.

 

6.         Malaysia is also planning to launch a new communication satellite in 2022, and another earth observation satellite by 2025 in line with the Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 Blueprint (Malaysia Space-X 2030). We are also currently developing our National Space Industry Strategic Plan to drive the local space industry to become viable and globally competitive.

 

7.            To improve public service delivery, Malaysia has developed centralised, comprehensive and integrated space based remote sensing and geospatial application systems and databases, known as Multi-sector Remote Sensing Application Systems (GovRSApps). These systems contain geospatial information in various sectors such as agriculture and fisheries, natural and environmental resources, disasters, security and national sovereignty.

 

8.         In strengthening research and innovation capabilities and human capital development, the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) has undertaken several collaborative activities with other academic communities. This includes microgravity science research at the ISS (International Space Station) through Asian Herbs in Space (AHiS) project, under the initiative of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

 

Madam Chair,

 

9.         On the Palestinian issue, Malaysia continues to recognise the important role played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The unwavering commitment and exceptional work carried out by UNRWA has provided assistance and protection to 5.8 million Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. 

 

10.       Malaysia has consistently rendered assistance and contributions to the Government and the people of Palestine, both financially and in kind, including through UNRWA. We are a regular contributor to UNRWA since 1978, and has recently agreed to long-term contribution to UNRWA this year amounting to USD1 million over the period from 2021 – 2025 in support of predictable and sustainable funding for the Agency.

 

11.       Malaysia reiterates its strong condemnation of Israel’s flagrant violations, including the continued restriction of movement of UNRWA personnel and goods in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which have undermined the Agency’s ability to effectively execute its mandate for the Palestinian refugees.

 

12.       Malaysia also calls on the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We also reject any unilateral action regarding the final status of Jerusalem. The only viable way forward is a negotiated two-state solution.

 

Madam Chair,

 

13.       Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the vital importance of peacekeeping operations in the maintenance of international peace and security. We take this opportunity to pay tribute to the devoted men and women serving with unwavering dedication and great distinction in peacekeeping missions worldwide.

 

14.       At present, Malaysian peacekeepers are serving in four UN peacekeeping missions. Currently, Malaysia is in transition for the rotation of 820 of our soldiers in UNIFIL. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Brunei Darussalam whereby 30 personnel from the Royal Bruneian Armed Forces are embedded with their Malaysian counterparts in Lebanon.

 

14.       We are also committed to increasing the number of women peacekeepers serving under the UN banner. In this regard, Malaysia has recently deployed its largest number of women peacekeepers serving in UNIFIL, consisting of 85 female personnel. We remain convinced that their participation will contribute positively in promoting inclusivity towards sustainable peace and development in line with our commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.

 

15.       Malaysia also strongly support United Nations peacekeeping operations that are better enhanced and adequately strengthened to meet new demands and challenges including due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe training and capacity building are key foundations to ensuring effectiveness of peacekeeping missions. We further support efforts to enhance safety and security of peacekeepers by equipping them with necessary skills, tools and equipment.

 

16.       To conclude, Malaysia would like to assure you of our full support and cooperation throughout the work of the Committee at this session.

 

I thank you.