Questioning rationale of sending armed forces to join Saudi coalition in mid-east conflict, NPA chief questions under whose authority decision was made.
In a statement, NPA president Brig Gen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said based on a recent report by Qatar-based news broadcaster Al Jazeera, “Malaysia is understood to have sent our military personnel to join the coalition forces”.
“If the Al Jazeera news report is true, then NPA wants to register its strongest protest against the participation of the armed forces in the Saudi-led coalition forces and the involvement of our military personnel in this Middle-Eastern conflict,” Arshad said.
The issue over Malaysia’s involvement in the Saudi-led coalition was first raised in a United Nations report in January this year, which stated that officers from Britain, France and Malaysia were also working at the coalition’s Riyadh headquarters.
AFP had reported that the coalition includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates with some support from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Sudan.
“The United States is offering support to logistical and intelligence activities, but the report said officers from Britain, France and Malaysia were also working at the coalition’s Riyadh headquarters.
“All coalition states and their allies also have an obligation to take appropriate measure to ensure respect for international humanitarian law by the coalition,” a UN panel of experts said in its report on the conflict.
However, shortly after the report was published, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Malaysian troops in Saudi Arabia were only there for training exercises, specifically on evacuation and disaster relief.
“Our relationship with Saudi Arabia does not involve participation in any attack or operation, whether in Yemen, Syria or Iraq,” he was reported to have said.
Hishammuddin had even confirmed that Malaysian army officers were working at the coalition forces headquarters in Riyadh, but only “for the learning experience”.
“When we were there, the Saudi Arabia leadership gave our armed forces some lessons at headquarters. I don’t think that is a problem. Our policy to stay within Saudi Arabian borders has not changed,” he had said.
The defence ministry later released a statement that any presence by Malaysian army personnel in Yemen was only to help in the evacuation of Malaysians.
Now, Arshad questions under whose authority did the government deploy armed forces personnel outside the country in the first place, let alone to assist the Saudis in its conflict with Yemen since 2015.
“Does Malaysia have any military agreements with Saudi Arabia allowing our country to send its troops to Saudi Arabia? Has the ‘Jawatankuasa Panglima-Panglima’ (JPP) discussed and approved our military deployment to Saudi Arabia?
“Also, who is financing the cost of the armed forces’ involvement in Saudi Arabia so far? In the event of any injury or death involving members of the armed forces, who shall be held accountable?” Arshad asked.
He also questioned if this “very important issue” was debated in Parliament?
“We believe it is unwise for the Malaysian armed forces to be involved in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, which has unnecessarily put our military personnel in harm’s way.
“Isn’t the government aware that many Malaysians are pursuing religious studies in several institutions in Yemen?” he asked.
UN report slams Saudi-led coalition over Yemen targets
Our troops didn’t take part in attacks in Yemen
Amanah: Clarify Malaysia’s involvement in Yemen war
‘Why are we entangled in Saudi-led war?’
The views expressed in the contents are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of FMT.
lagi info di : Gosip Artis Terkini