EU should hold dialogue with Malaysia instead of acting hastily

The European Union (EU) should have addressed the issue corncerning Malaysia's human rights situation, through a dialogue, instead of acting hastily in issuing a resolution relating to the nation's internal affairs, said the Malaysian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Wisma Putra's reaction came after the European Parliament had adopted a non-legislative resolution which among others alluded the issue on the withdrawal of Malaysia's National Security Bill, repealing of the Sedition Act and withdrawal of anti-sodomy laws on Thursday (Dec 17).

The resolution followed advocacy by the International Federation for Human Rights and its member organisation Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM).

"We therefore view it as unfortunate that the European Parliament has acted hastily and chosen a monologue by issuing this resolution.

"The government of Malaysia strongly believes that full respect must be provided to any sovereign country to decide on its internal affairs," according to the Ministry in a statement, here today.

In line with this, it was indispensable to all countries, including Malaysia, to be given the required space to ensure the continued peace, security and stability of the country, it said.

The Ministry said Malaysia was committed to uphold the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right of freedom of assembly.

These exercises were enshrined in the Article 10 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, it said.

By taking into account Malaysia's historical experience as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society, Malaysia maintained that equal emphasis must be placed on the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly as well as on the duties and responsibilities attached to the exercise of such rights, it said.

"Nevertheless we will seek to engage the EU at the next available opportunity," it said.

The Ministry said it was not the first time that the matter was raised by EU as these concerns had also been discussed including during high level interactions between EU leaders and Malaysian leaders namely in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), United Nations General Assembly and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting/ ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences (AMM/PMC).