MAF personnel to help rebuild Yemen if needed
RIYADH: Malaysian Armed Forces personnel will remain in Saudi Arabia to provide humanitarian assistance and help with rebuilding efforts in Yemen if needed, said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
The Defence Minister said that in the beginning, the troops were based in Riyadh to provide assistance and facilitate the evacuation of Malaysians in Yemen.
“However, in light of the current situation, I have instructed the Armed Forces to remain in the kingdom to provide humanitarian assistance and assist in rebuilding efforts if required,” he said in his speech at “The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen” conference on Sunday.
He said the current instability in Yemen and the surrounding region has raised concern among Muslim nations.
“As stated by the Prime Minister during the Arab-Islamic-US Summit earlier this year, there is widespread belief here that Iran has contributed to the region’s instability.
“As a country that enjoys and values good relations with countries in the region, Malaysia feels that Iran should and must avoid any action that could be seen as interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours.
“This is not only for the sake of regional stability but also for the unity of the ummah.”
Hishammuddin, who is also Special Functions Minister, said the instability in the Middle East would serve as an avenue for terrorist groups to flourish.
“This is why the presence of our Armed Forces signifies our resolute stand with the kingdom in preserving the security and sanctity of the holy cities of Mecca and Madinah.
“We believe that Saudi Arabia, an influential nation which has the potential to shape the future of the region and the ummah, can be a beacon of hope in an unsettled world by pursuing and promoting conflict prevention, the peaceful resolution of disputes and sustainable peace-building,” he said.
Hishammuddin added that Muslim nations should be constructive and innovative, striving to bring conflicting parties together to resolve their differences.
“As brothers, we must repair breaches of peace and limit human suffering.
“As a nation that champions moderation or the concept of wassatiyyah (moderation), we feel the many misconceptions about our religion must be rectified to promote the true face of Islam in a holistic manner.
“Malaysia feels it is our duty to share our expertise, just as we have long worked with partners around the world,” he said.
Hishammuddin said the King Salman Centre for International Peace will focus on the soft approach of countering the narratives and ideologies that underpin terrorism and radicalism, a crucial factor in the counter-narrative against extremist groups.
“Malaysia also applauds the kingdom’s vow to eradicate the remnants of extremism. International efforts for peace must be as strong and as determined to ensure a brighter future for all,” he said.
He said the approach to peace and security must be rebalanced.
“We need to do far more to prevent war and sustain peace. We must all learn to work not just for ourselves, or our nations, but for the benefit of all mankind,” he said.
On a separate matter, Hishammuddin said the Defence Ministry condemned the cowardly terrorist attack on a police bus in the Bahraini capital of Manama.
“We reiterate our full solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain, against the menace of violence and terrorism which aims to destabilise order and security in the kingdom.”