KUALA LUMPUR: The government is ready to review Malaysia's reservation to Article 9 of the 1948 Genocide Convention, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said to do this, discussions must be held between parties in the Parliamentary Select Committee to explore ways to review the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"If there is a consensus, we can move forward, even though there are some concerns with matters about the Federal Constitution and the Conference of Rulers.
"Malaysia has reservation about the Rome Statute of the ICC due to certain provisions that are unacceptable, such as those concerning the protection of Bumiputera rights, religion, and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights.
"The Conference of Rulers also raised this issue, but in my discussion with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who will visit Malaysia early next year, he did not oppose us expressing our joint support (on Palestine), although we did not ratify the Rome Statute," he said during Prime Minister's Question Time in Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) 's supplementary question about the government's willingness to reassess its reservations about Article 9 of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Anwar also said Malaysia's position on genocide was clear, as raised during his meeting with Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
He said Petro supported Malaysia's stance on the matter and called upon the G20 Leaders' Summit to recognise acts of genocide.
"After Malaysia emphasised genocide in my speech (at the G20 Leaders' Summit), Petro expressed support for our stance and said 'genocide is genocide'.
"So, our position is very clear.
"In my discussions with Ramaphosa, I told him we would consider all options, including sending a representative to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
"Our foreign minister will be present (at the ICJ) to state our position, even though Malaysia cannot submit (a complaint) because we are non-members.
"This is what Sik has to understand, it is tied to the Rome Statute of the ICC."
Meanwhile, Anwar said member countries of the Arab-Islamic Summit, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation bloc, and the G20 summit were also firm in advocating for the Palestinians.
"However, not all members at the Arab-Islamic summit could express views similar to Malaysia's position due to their respective country's policies, interests, and national constraints, but many still extended their support and congratulations for our stance."
Anwar assured that the government, through the Foreign Ministry, the International Trade and Industry Ministry, and others, would enhance efforts to ensure that bilateral relations with all recognised countries, excluding Israel, would continue.
"This includes other countries, including in Europe.
"(For example), French President Emmanuel Macron also clarified his stance on certain issues, acknowledging that while his position may not be as firm as ours, he has provided us space to express our views.
"He also said he does not support any position that denies the Palestinian people's right to establish a free and independent state," he added.