MALAYSIAN DELEGATES’ STAND ON OTHER ISSUES DURING DEBATES

THE QUESTION OF IRAQI REFUGEES

It is indeed a grave problem for the Iraqi refugees, most of whom having escaped to
neighbouring countries possess no legal status or rights which can protect, cloth or feed them.
The United Nations plays a very important role and so do the countries in which these Iraqi
refugees are presently live in. It is also the duty of the other member countries, to help these
refugees through whatever means possible. It is in the interest of Malaysia and all other
member countries that the dire situation for the Iraqi refugees be alleviated.

With this, Malaysia would stand for a comprehensive and immediate course of action,
including but not limited to, the repatriation, protection and rehabilitation of these refugees
by the UN to their native cities and town; or granting of aid and full refugee status and rights
to them in their host countries so that they can pursue a decent life.

THE QUESTION OF CHILD DOMESTIC WORKERS

Millions of child workers, with females forming the majority, are still trapped in the immoral
cycle of exploitation in various industries, mostly in developing countries. Instead of proper
education, they are working up to 18 hours a day and are at the mercy of their misguided
employers. Such a lifestyle denies them of any rights conferred to any child in the world.

Hence, Malaysia would urge the UNICEF (United Nations International Children's
Emergency Fund) to raise an alert among member countries and work in active collaboration
with their respective governments to tackle these problems.

The Question on International Quality Control

With regards to International Quality Control, we are very strict in ensuring that the quality of
all our products is within international standards, we conduct regular tests at every stage of
production before we sell the goods to our domestic and international markets. We expect all
who import of goods into Malaysia to observe similar standards for their products and
conduct regular check on them too.
It would be good if all member nations are able to agree on a set international quality control
system so that all the products that meet these standards can be traded freely without any
supplementary export and import country specific quality control requirements.

Organic Farming in Future Food Production

Organic farming is gaining popularity in Malaysia today, partly due to the efforts of Centre
for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia (CETDEM) Organic Farming
Community Centre (OFCC) opened in January 2007. CETDEM spreads the good philosophy
and practice of organic farming and kitchen gardening. It is agreed that the practical
experiences learnt need to be shared, especially when there is a pressing need to increase the
quality and quantity of organic produce in the international market. Besides being a learning
resource centre, OFCC also acts as a working model for other organic farming community
centres of the future.
Malaysia’s stand is to increase organic farming in future food production; to follow ethics and
design principles of organic farming and gardening, and at the same time promote energy and
water efficiency, to make homes more environment friendly. We are willing to share our
expertise with member nations if they are interested because we believe that organic farming
promotes healthy living and lessens the human impact on our fragile ecosystem.

ARCTIC SOVERIEGNITY
Stand on the arctic sovereignty: Should not allow arctic to be exploited, should protect the
environment and not disturb the serenity of the marine life, and prevent pollution and future
disaster from occurring.

BHUTAN DELEGATES’ STAND ON OTHER ISSUES DURING DEBATES

Iraqi refugees
Refugees strain a host country’s available resources, which are often too limited to provide
for its own citizens. The social stability of the host countries could be threatened or
jeopardized when the refugees either fail to integrate fully or co-exist with the social
mainstream, raising tensions and resentment between the people. This has happened in
Bhutan where the minority migrant Nepalese population has now started to demand equal
rights and are causing social and political tension in our country.

Therefore, we suggest that the UN come up with a comprehensive plan to provide for the
Iraqi refugees settled in its neighbouring countries so that host nations are not taxed so much
and seek to resolve the conflict in Iraq as soon as possible so that these refugees can go back
to their own country as soon as possible and thus prevent future tension and strife.

Migrants Rights
In this modern and globalised world, migration whether dues to social, political or economic
reasons is common and a fact of life. However, such high levels of migration also pose a
threat to the indigenous culture and heritage, as well as the political stability of the host
country. Long term immigrants wish for privileged citizenship rights, such as voting rights.
Not only does this unbalance the delicate political stability of the country, it also undermines
basic citizenship rights that are given to the natural citizens of the country.

In my own country, we have problems with our Nepalese migrant population. While it is true
that they deserve equal treatment and rights, if they seek to totally and radically change the
basic social, political and cultural fabric of our nationhood which is our identity, it is not only
intolerable but also too much to ask.

ZIMBABWE
Since Zimbabwe achieved its independence in 1980, it has been under the rule of one leader
President Robert Mugabe. Now, 28 years into his rule there is great social, economic and
political instability in the country.
According to statistics the inflation in the 3rd quarter of 2007 hit a shocking high of 8000%.
Adding to this is the high unemployment rate of 80% and the huge drop in Zimbabwe’s
economic output of 40%. One fourth of its population has fled the country and the remaining
lot faces political intimidation and violence if it disagrees with the regimes politics.
According to the recent estimation by USAID and the World Food Program, it has been
predicted that around 4.1 million Zimbabweans will need assistance in food. This is in
addition to the 5 million Zimbabweans who received food aid in 2006. This food shortage is
mainly due to the unsuccessful government policies and misrule of the Mugabe regime.

Even though sanctions have been imposed they have not created any significant impact on the
Zimbabwean government because some member nations have not co-operated fully or done
their best.
The Kingdom of Bhutan strongly urges the member countries to impose more serious
sanctions on Zimbabwe and Mugabe regime. We also hope that the member countries would
pressurize President Mugabe to step down in order to achieve political and economic
stability.

ON IRAQ
Five years ago when Iraq was invaded, America and its allies claimed that it was to find and
destroy Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) that Iraq possessed. Despite strong opposition
from countries such as France and Germany and even from the UN Secretary General at that
time, Mr. Kofi Annan, America and its allies pressed on.
Now five year later, while no WMD’s have been found and Saddam Hussein and his cronies
have been hanged, America claims that its presence in Iraq is to foster democracy and
freedom and to ensure peace and stability to Iraq.
But if we look at the facts, it hardly seems so. Since the start of America’s invasion there has
been a proliferation of suicide bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, revenge killings, and
rampant sectarianism has become order of the day. It is arguable that in contrast to the
present situation, to many ordinary Iraqi citizens, Iraq under Saddam Hussein would almost
look like the good old days.
When I say this, my intention is to not to glorify the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein
and his cronies but to point out that if America and allies are not able to bring Iraq back on its
feet soon and then leave its citizens to charter their own future course independently, soon
their presence in Iraq and their justification for their presence there will be looked with same
hatred and anger that the deposed regime was rightly worthy of.
The Kingdom of Bhutan strongly urges US and its allies to present a concrete proposal with
stipulated deadlines about the withdrawal of the coalition forces from Iraq and how it
proposes to ensure democracy and stability in Iraq after their departure. I hope that all
member countries would support this.