Media statement by the Malaysian Parliamentary Special Select Committee on International Affairs on Wednesday 2nd March 2022:
Malaysia must seize the opportunity to vote ‘YES’ and in favour of the resolution in support of Ukraine on the unprovoked armed aggression by the Russian Federation at the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly happening in the next 48 hours.
The Malaysian Parliamentary Special Select Committee on International Affairs urges the Malaysian Representative to the United Nations to vote in favour of Ukraine on the resolution against Russia that is due to take place in the next 48 hours. This invaluable vote will also reflect the support to the Ukrainian people, international human rights laws, the Minsk Agreement and the principles of the UN Charter.
This will not be the first time that Malaysia has voted ‘YES’, in favour of a resolution in support of Ukraine.
On 27th March 2014, the UN General Assembly voted in a resolution calling upon states not to recognize changes in the Crimea region. Malaysia voted in favour alongside 99 other nations with 11 against and 58 abstentions. The resolution titled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine” also called on States to “desist and refrain” from actions aimed at disrupting Ukraine’s national unity and territorial integrity, including by modifying its borders through the threat or use of force”.
Raja Reza bin Raja Zaib Shah who was the Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations was the person who voted in favour of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/262 in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine.
Yesterday 28th February 2022, in a media statement by H.E. Ambassador Syed Mohamad Hasrin Aidid, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations in New York, reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to peaceful settlement of conflict guided by the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international law.
This can only be achieved by Malaysia making a stand to vote in favour of the resolution in support of Ukraine. Abstention however is not an option. Malaysia must stand tall amongst nations to be counted as a nation that is courageous to speak out and speak up in favour of victims of crimes against humanity and the escalating violence targeting civilians in Ukraine. We expect that at the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
No nation, however small, should ever have to suffer at the hands of any other nation and run the risk of being invaded – a potent threat to democracy, peace and sovereignty of that nation. The only outcome that should matter in power grabs is the loss of innocent lives and we must prevent that at all cost.
The Malaysian Parliamentary Special Select Committee for International Affairs reminds the Malaysian Government, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to be paragons of human rights, recognizing the sovereignty of Ukraine and upholding the tenets of the UN Charter, and international law.
Malaysia must vote in favour of Ukraine at the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly in the next 48 hours.
In the words of the late Desmond Tutu, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”.
The Malaysian Parliamentary Special Select Committee for International Affairs consists of the following members:
Chairman:
Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Haji Salahuddin bin Ayub
MP Pulai [PH – AMANAH]
Members:
- Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz
MP Padang Rengas [BN – UMNO] - Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Azizah binti Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Dun
MP Beaufort [BERSATU] - Yang Berhormat Dato’ Haji Che Abdullah bin Mat Nawi
MP Tumpat [PAS] - Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing
MP Bintulu [GPS – PDP] - Yang Berhormat Tuan Sim Tze Tzin
MP Bayan Baru [PH – PKR] - Yang Berhormat Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto
MP Batu Kawan [PH – DAP] - Yang Berhormat Tuan Awang Husaini bin Sahari
MP Putatan [PH – PKR]