Malaysian foreign policy is back

It seems the Malaysian foreign policy is back. As a sovereign nation and member of the non-alligned movement (NAM), Malaysia has had her foreign policy ‘independent’ of the superpowers.

In the recent International Atomic Energy Agency meeting in Vienna, Austria, Malaysia voted as a minority voice against the call for Iran to be sanctioned for non compliance to Western demand of the de-‘nuclear’isation of the Iranian nuclear development program, particular the enrichment of uranium.

Xinhuanet.com has the story:

Sanctions against Iran over nuclear issue not to work: president

www.chinaview.cn 2009-12-02 04:55:30

    TEHRAN, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that any sanctions against Iran over its nuclear issue will not work and the Islamic Republic can not be isolated.

    “We have a great economy inside Iran … and sanctions are not such a big deal for Iran,” Ahmadinejad said in a live TV interview late Tuesday.

    “They (the Western countries) need us more than we need them,” Ahmadinejad said, adding “It is only a psychological warfare and it is impossible to isolate Iran.”

    The Iranian president also lashed out at the recent resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors on the Iran nuclear issue, saying that the resolution “has no legal basis.”

    The IAEA board of governors passed a resolution during a meeting on Friday in Vienna, calling for the “full cooperation” of Iran to clarify all outstanding issues involving its nuclear program and requiring Iran to stop construction on the newly-disclosed Fordo uranium enrichment facility near the central Iranian city of Qom.

    On Sunday, the Iranian government ordered the country’s Atomic Energy Organization to build 10 new uranium enrichment sites in defiance of the latest IAEA resolution.

    Ahmadinejad reiterated in his televised interview on Tuesday that the plan to build 10 new uranium enrichment plants in the country was not a “bluff” and Iran will fully pursue its announced projects.

    He also noted that Iran did not have to inform the UN nuclear watchdog about its plans to build the new nuclear sites “unless the technology is imported.”

    The IAEA move was its first adoption of a resolution against Iran after the one adopted in February 2006. The 35-member IAEA board of governors passed the resolution with 25 yes votes, three votes by Cuba, Venezuela and Malaysia against, six abstentions and one absence.

    Russia was singled out by Ahmadinejad for criticism on Tuesday as Moscow was one of the 25 members of the IAEA board of governors who voted for the recent resolution on the Iran nuclear issue.

    “Russia made a mistake (in voting for the resolution) as it does not have an accurate analysis of the current situation in the world,” Ahmadinejad said.

 

The consistency of Malaysia’s foreign policy as per previous prime ministers particularly Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is apparent in PM Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak’s administration.

Malaysia sternly took a stand, which definitely would be deemed as very unpopular especially amongst the pro-West. The stand clearly demonstrated that Malaysia is speaking on the principle that Iran has her right to develop her own nuclear programs. Considering that Malaysia voted against the proposal to sanction Iran’s economy (which will definitely deprive the people) along with anti-American states (deemed ‘rogue’ by the Jewish Neo Con controlled media) such as Cuba and Venezuela, the vote shows that Malaysia is free from being subservient to the West, especially United States of America. Otherwise, Malaysia might have abstained from casting her vote against Iran’s favour for fear of isolation amongst the Islamic countries.

This stance illustrated the return of Malaysia’s foreign policy, especially being vocal and champion for the right principles. During PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s tenure, Malaysia shifted its foreign policy. The clear indication on the shift was when Kuala Lumpur hosted the ASEAN Head of Government Summit and as the nation host, we led the charge against Myanmar for the democratization of their political system. The ‘democratization of Myanmar’ is very much the flavour of the West, particularly the US and United Kingdom. As one of  the founding members of ASEAN, Malaysia defied the principle of ‘non interference into neighbours’ domestic policies’.

Malaysia also was ‘mild’ on her stance against Israel when the Zionist rogue state illegally attacked South Lebanon and inflicted a lot of pain and damages against the Non Combattant Lebanese and Palestinians in the summer of 2006. Then, it participated in the UN sponsored peace keeping force, primarily put in place for the protection of Northen Israel after the desctruction of Southern Lebanon and the Zionist Jews are afraid of the wrath of the oppressed people seeking justice’.

Malaysia’s stance against Iran being reprimanded for developing their own nuclear program is all about ‘a matter of principle’. The West, especially US and UK did not make any effort to reprimand Israel despite not only the development of their nuclear program since the 1960s, but the possession of nuclear arms. It is because they are pro-Israel.

*Update 1115am

Perhaps we here at BigDogDotCom is prematurely a little bit too enthusiastic on the ‘return of our foreign policy’. Apparently, the ‘return’ is as not what it seemed to be. Berita Harian news flash via sms stated that Wisma Putra recalled the Malaysian Ambassador to the UN for the voting in favour  of Iran against the proposal of sanction. “Improper procedures on  how the vote was derived”   were blamed.

*Updated 20opm

The Star report:

Published: Sunday December 6, 2009 MYT 12:06:00 PM

Malaysia recalls its UN envoy over Iran nuclear voting

KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry has recalled Malaysia’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) in Vienna for consultations over the passing of a resolution on the Iran nuclear issue by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Austria last month.

The ministry’s statement here said voting on the matter was not in accordance with government procedures and that was why the representative was recalled.

The IAEA Board on Governors on Nov 27 adopted a resolution tabled by Germany on the implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement and the relevant provisions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions 1737 (2006); 1747 (2007); 1803 (2008) and 1835 (2008) in Iran.

Malaysia, Cuba and Venezuela voted against the resolution while six countries abstained, one was absent and 25 adopted the resolution.

“Malaysia is studying the outcome of the resolution and its implications. We will endeavour to work together with the international community in moving the Iranian nuclear issue forward.

 “In this regard, we will consult with members of the IAEA Board of Governors and other member states of the United Nations,” the statement said. – Bernama

**************

If Malaysia’s concern to be ‘politicaly correct’ and “work together with the international community in moving the Iranian nuclear issue forward” at the diplomatic level, then the Malaysian Ambassador to UN should have abstained from voting at the IAEA meeting. That would have been suffice, to put across our stand and not be seen as trying to be a ‘hero’.

However, Malaysia voted “Nay”, which is a very strong statement at the international diplomacy level. For Cuba and Venezuela to take that stand, they are already regarded as ‘rogue states’ by the West, especially United States.

Why the Ambassador to UN voted “Nay” is not clear at the moment. There could be communication breakdown on oour policy on the ‘Iranian nuclear issue’. There could also be an attempt to embarass Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak at the international community level. Especially PM Najib has started to be ‘friends’ with US President Barack Obama.

Interesting development is that President Obama last week committted an extra 30,000 troops deployed into Afghanistan when part of his campaign and aspiration of the American public is for him to do otherwise. How Malaysia reacted to this new development is also unclear at this point in time.