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STATEMENT BY

 

H.E. AMBASSADOR HUSSEIN HANIFF PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON COMBATING TERRORISM AND VIOLENT EXTREMISM

 

 

Madam President,

 

I wish to first congratulate you and the delegation of Australia on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council for this month and for convening this important meeting. Malaysia also welcomes/notes the Presidential Statement adopted at the beginning of the meeting and we also wish to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing.

 

2. My delegation is further encouraged by the presence of His Excellency Mr. Hector Timerman, Foreign Minister of Argentina and His Excellency Mr. Jean Asselborn, Foreign Minister of Luxembourg as well as the presence of the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

 

 3. Such high level participation reflects the importance attached to the subject of today’s meeting. In my delegation’s view, our meeting today affords the opportunity to take stock of progress made in combating the twin scourges of terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in the context of implementing Security Council Resolutions 2170 and 2178, both of which were adopted earlier this year. Malaysia associates itself with the statement delivered by Iran on behalf of the Non -Aligned Movement (NAM)

 

Madam President,

 

4. Malaysia reiterates in the strongest terms our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as all acts , method and practices of terrorism. In the wake of the rampant advance of terror and violent extremist groups - both in terms of capturing actual territory as well as intellectual or ideological space - Malaysia co-sponsored Resolution 2178 last September. In doing so, Malaysia had sought to lend its support towards galvanising international action to combat terrorism in general and the scourge of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF) in particular.

 

5. Thus far, 2014 has witnessed disturbing developments particularly in terms of the tactics employed by violent extremist groups. The brutality of the punishment or retribution inflicted upon their opponents and victims is appalling and horrific

 

. 6. Perhaps even more worrying is the fact that the narrative of such groups appear to be gaining ground and seems to increasingly resonate with a diverse cross-section of the global population. In this regard, my delegation believes that it is imperative to halt the flow of funds and recruits to such groups.

 

 7. My delegation joins others in calling for robust and effective international action to fight terrorism and violent extremism, undertaken in full respect of the Charter and universally recognised principles of law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

 

Madam President,

 

 8. Malaysia has been continuously working to enhance its domestic legal framework to ensure that measures aimed at safeguarding national security fully respects human rights. This can be seen in terms of the evolution of relevant legislation on combatting terrorism and countering violent extremism, where the much criticised Internal Security Act (ISA) of 1960 was repealed and replaced with the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) in 2012.

 

9. In terms of law enforcement, the Counter-Terrorism Division of the Royal Malaysian Police has since year 2000 forged strong bilateral ties with approximately 50 foreign intelligence and enforcement agencies; with particular emphasis on information sharing. In terms of compliance with resolutions 2170 and 2178, the existing legal and policy framework has been successful in preventing the movement of possible recruits out of the country.

 

10. In 2013, Malaysia amended the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) of 2001 to include measures to combat terrorism financing. The amended act, now known as the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (AMLATFA) comprehensively provides for the freezing of terrorist funds and for the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1267 and more broadly, resolution 1373.

 

11. In 2003, Malaysia established the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism (SEARCCT) to provide capacity building and technical assistance at the national, regional and international levels. As of 31 October 2014, the Centre has conducted 140 capacity building programmes attended by almost 3000 local and 1260 foreign participants. SEARCCT works closely with many countries as well as bodies such as the UN CTED (UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate) and the UNODC (UN Office on Drugs and Crime) on various aspects of counterterrorism.

 

 12. At the regional level, cooperation in combating terrorism primarily takes place within the framework of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC). In addition, the annual ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) would implement and review the decisions of the AMMTC as well as explore further areas of cooperation. The legislative framework at the regional level is provided by the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT) which complements the UN Global Terrorism Strategy, international conventions on counterterrorism and relevant UN resolutions.

 

13. At the international level, Malaysia has ratified nine of the 14 international conventions and protocols aimed at combatting terrorism. Malaysia has and continues to undertake various measures to implement its international obligations, including by taking the necessary legislative measures that would allow us to accede to the remaining conventions and protocols.

 

14. On a related note, Malaysia also welcomes the signing last June of a cooperation agreement between CTED and the UN Alliance of Civilisation (UNAoC) which among others, establishes a regular framework for consultation between the two organisations.

 

15. Despite not being exclusively geared towards countering terrorism, UNAoC engages in projects aimed at improving intercultural understanding and addressing feelings of isolation among certain groups, especially vulnerable young people. This in itself presents a formidable bulwark against the recruitment efforts of terrorists and violent extremists.

 

16. Malaysia strongly believes that the emphasis of the UNAoC in promoting an approach anchored in principles of moderation should be further supported by Member States, particularly in the context of our common endeavour in combatting the narrative of terrorists and violent extremists.

 

Madam President,

 

17. In the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, it is justified to say that we have all come a long way. However, we still have quite some distance to go. The narrative and appeal of terrorists and violent extremists must continue to be vigorously countered; and their murderous actions combatted each step of the way. Towards this end, Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering commitment and continued support.

 

 I thank you