KUALA LUMPUR – A parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) is calling for the Malaysian government to vote in support of Ukraine at the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) set to take place today.
The PSSC on International Affairs said in a statement today that this invaluable vote from Malaysia will convey the nation’s support for the embattled country, international human rights laws, the Minsk Agreement and the principles of the UN charter.
Noting that Malaysia had once voted for Ukraine in 2014 on an UNGA resolution calling upon states to not recognise changes in the Crimea region, the committee said that abstaining from declaring a stand is not an option.
“Malaysia must stand tall amongst other nations to be considered a country that is courageous enough to speak up for victims of crimes against humanity such as the escalating violence targeting Ukrainian civilians.
“No nation, however small, should ever have to run the risk of being invaded as this is a potent threat to the 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 costs,” it said.
It also reminds the Malaysian government, prime minister and foreign affairs minister to be “paragons” of human rights by recognising the sovereignty of Ukraine, while upholding the tenets of the UN charter and international law.
Besides, it pointed out that on February 28, Malaysian Ambassador to the UN Syed Mohamad Hasrin Aidid had reiterated the nation’s commitment to a peaceful conflict settlement.
This, it claims, is only achievable by Malaysia taking a stand in favour of the resolution in support of Ukraine.
According to Reuters, the UN security council had on February 27 voted to convene the UNGA after Russia vetoed a draft council resolution on February 25 that would have condemned Moscow’s assault on Ukraine.
The news channel quoted US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield as saying that UNGA is expected to vote on a similar resolution as soon as today.
With ongoing assaults hitting residential blocks in Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv and killing up to eight people while ten others were killed by Russian shelling on a local government complex, the International Criminal Court has already opened a war crimes investigation against Russia.
Ukraine says more than 350 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed in the conflict.
The PSSC is headed by Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (Pulai) with members Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Padang Rengas), Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort), Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (Tumpat), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu), Sim Tze Tzin (Bayan Baru), Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan) and Awang Husaini Sahari (Putatan). – The Vibes, March 2, 2022
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