ArchiveS ArchiveS

STATEMENT BY

MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD KARIM 

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA 

TO THE UNITED NATIONS  

 

ON AGENDA ITEM 109: 

MEASURES TO ELIMINATE INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM 

 

AT THE SIXTH COMMITTEE OF THE 

78TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

 

NEW YORK, 3 OCTOBER 2023   

 

 

Mr. Chair,  

 

Congratulations on your election as Chair of the Sixth Committee.  We are confident of your ability to effectively steer the work of the Committee.  My delegation will render our full cooperation in the fulfilment of your work.   

 

2.     Malaysia aligns itself with statements made by the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Cambodia on behalf of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  We thank the Secretary-General for his report A/78/221, which contains update on measures undertaken by Member States and international organisations in countering terrorism.    

 

Mr. Chair,  

 

3.     Malaysia strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including acts in which States were directly or indirectly involved.  We repeat our call for a robust and effective international action in our collective fight against terrorism based on and in full respect of the UN Charter as well as universally recognised principles of law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.  Malaysia deplores the recent terror attacks in Turkiye and Pakistan, which saw civilian casualties.  We stand in solidarity with the governments and peoples of Turkiye and Pakistan during this difficult time.  

 

4.     Terrorism and violent extremism is a major threat to world peace and security. Attributing terrorism to a particular religion, nationality, civilisation, or ethnic group is wrong.  No religion propagates terrorism; and no nationality, civilisation, or ethnic group is predisposed to it.  Therefore, Malaysia strongly disagrees with the negative stereotyping and profiling of Muslims as terrorists.  

 

5.     The fight against terrorism requires concerted efforts through the UN as well as through regional and bilateral initiatives.  Malaysia fully supports the four pillars of action contained in the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS).  We welcome the consensus adoption of resolution 77/298 on the Eighth Review of the GCTS on 22 June 2023.   

 

6.     Domestically, Malaysia has been working to enhance its counter-terrorism legal framework.  Among others, Malaysia has promulgated the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2015 and the Special Measures against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Act (SMATA) 2015.  Malaysia believes that preventive measures are more effective in addressing terrorism-related threats.  Thus, we will continue to enact new laws that are consistent with Malaysia’s international obligations. While preventive laws are essential in maintaining peace and security, Malaysia is always committed to ensuring that all its citizens can enjoy their fundamental liberties in a manner which does not infringe on the exercise of the rights of others. These legal frameworks are bound by democratic accountability and judicial oversight.  

 

7.     Our efforts are further strengthened through cooperation with foreign law enforcement authorities in the investigations and prosecutions of alleged terrorists and their activities.  Malaysia is a party to 11 of the international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols. At the regional level, Malaysia is a party to the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (“ACCT”).   

 

8.     Given the threat of online radicalisation and recruitment, especially those targetting the youth, the importance of winning “hearts and minds” cannot be understated. The Southeast Asia Regional Centre on Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) based in Kuala Lumpur continues to actively engage the public through its counter-messaging initiatives.  Outreach programmes have been organised at the national level to educate the public on the dangers of terrorism, on ways to remain safe online as well as to raise awareness on indicators of radicalisation and recruitment.   

 

Mr. Chair,  

 

9.     Malaysia has given constructive responses to UN reporting mechanisms such as the Counter-Terrorism Committee pursuant to Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and the 1540 (2004) Committee.  On behalf of the Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) completed its hybrid visit to Malaysia with the physical component of the visit from 7 to 9 November 2022.  We had open and productive discussions with CTED to examine Malaysia’s achievements since 2006.  These achievements include our robust anti-money-laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (ALM/CFT) framework, ratification of an additional six international counterterrorism instruments, development of a detailed legal framework to supress terrorist acts and the establishment of an Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) as an oversight mechanism for police investigations.     

 

10.     My delegation acknowledge the benefits of conferences and meetings held throughout the year by the relevant UN agencies and bodies dealing with counterterrorism.  We commend the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) for bringing to the fore important discussions on the multiple dimensions of the threat and chellenges in countering terrorism.  Malaysia has and will continue to participate in these discourses and trainings with great interest.  We also welcome the convening of the Third UN Counter-Terrorism Week by the UNOCT, including the Third UN High-Level Conference of Head of Counter Terrorism Agencies of Member States, held in June this year.   

 

Mr. Chair,   

 

Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)  

 

11.     Malaysia remains open and supportive with regards to the convening of a highlevel conference under the auspices of the UN.  We are confident the Conference would be a way forward in addressing challenges impeding global counter-terrorism efforts.  Its convening should not hinge on the conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).   

 

12.     We also appreciate the efforts to finalise the process on the draft CCIT convention by the Working Group on measures to eliminate terrorism.  Malaysia looks forward to participate actively and constructively on the draft convention.    

 

Mr. Chair,  

 

13.     No nation is immune to the threat of international terrorism.  It is vitally important for the international community to present a united front against terrorism.  We believe that it is only through international cooperation and our collective efforts that we can hope to succeed in our determination to combat terrorism.  Malaysia remains committed in our support for the international community’s efforts in the fight against terrorism.   

 

Thank you.