FOREIGN Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir has urged nations to end double standards and hypocrisy as polarisation rises due to ongoing geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions.
He said countries cannot be selective to human suffering, citing the instance of Israel’s aggression in the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza.
“We must not pick and choose when it comes to human suffering…It is crucial to put an end to double standards and hypocrisy.
“Therefore, to achieve a future that is sustainable, equitable, and inclusive for everyone, it is imperative to foster trust, bridge the widening divide, and tackle fundamental issues afflicting the world, including the escalating conflicts that create divisions,” he said at 34th APEC Ministerial Meeting Plenary session in San Francisco here on Wednesday (local time).
Zambry said the decline in multilateralism and respect for international law need to be addressed to foster an equitable and inclusive future for all.
“Development and peace are interconnected. Geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions are exacerbating polarisation.
“We now observe the diminishing and weakening of multilateralism and adherence to international law.
“This is evident in what is frighteningly unfolding in Gaza, with the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children,” he said.
Over 11,000 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip, while 29,000 more were injured.
Meanwhile, Zambry said conflicts also impact the global supply chain, and the world has learnt this the hard way during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the pandemic also revealed the global supply chain’s fragility.
Zambry posited that the solution does not lie in heightened protectionism and unilateral measures, which only impede socio-economic development.
Cybersecurity law in works
The foreign minister also raised the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding digital economies.
Zambry said Malaysia has tasked the National Cyber Security Agency to fortify the country against cyber threats.
“As part of our efforts to bolster Malaysia’s overall resilience and response to the escalating cyber threats, we are currently working towards the introduction of a cybersecurity bill in the near future,” he said.
Zambry said the bill, if enacted, is evidence of Malaysia’s commitment to effectively countering cyber threats.
“The bill will also encompass the ability to anticipate and adapt to the evolving landscape of digital technologies.
“Through these measures, Malaysia aims to position itself as a secure and trustworthy destination for both domestic and international investments.” – The Vibes, November 16, 2023
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