STATEMENT BY MALAYSIA AT THE CD PLENARY
ON 15 FEBRUARY 2001 BY DISARMAMENT COUNSELLOR:
MR. RAJAREZA RAJAZAIB SHAH

Mr. President,

Thank you for giving me the floor. As this is the first time I am taking the floor under your presidency, allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your assumption to the presidency of the CD and for your untiring efforts and endeavours in reaching consensus on a programme of work of the CD.

Landmines are still a real and constant threat to millions of people. They continue to take innocent lives at an alarming rate.

Malaysia is committed to the attainment of a truly universal ban of anti-personnel landmines and is proud to be one of the pioneers in the region to join the growing family of the Ottawa Convention. Only 23 months have passed since its entry into force and already one hundred and thirty nine states have signed the Convention. Malaysia firmly believes that the Mine Ban Treaty has irreversibly established itself as the international norm in banning anti-personnel landmines. Malaysia signed the Convention on 3 December 1997 and deposited its instrument of Ratification on 22 April , 1999.

Mr. President,

On 23 January 2001, Malaysia completed its stockpile destruction of antipersonnel landmines and accordingly fulfilled its obligations under Article 4 of the Convention. The destruction of 94, 263 antipersonnel landmines began on 15 January 2001 and took place at three different locations in Malaysia using one of the safest and effective methods. The historic event was conducted in the presence of representatives from several international NGOs and also the media, specially invited to witness the event.

Malaysia became the 27th State Party to have destroyed its stockpile of antipersonnel landmines. Just two weeks ago, Bulgaria, the 26th State Party to have completed its stockpile destruction informed the CD of its stockpile destruction. More significantly, Malaysia is now the first mine-free country in Asia.

Malaysia's decision not to retain any antipersonnel landmines for training and development purposes which is permissible under Article 3 of the Convention is another commitment that we are proud to make.

Mr. President,

Malaysia is a strong supporter of the Mine Ban Convention. At the First Meeting of States Parties in Maputo in 1999, Malaysia was elected as the co-rapporteur of the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction. Presently, Malaysia together with Slovakia are the Co-Chairs of the said Standing Committee. At the same time, Malaysia is also in the Coordinating Committee of the Ottawa Convention which was established immediately after the Second Meeting of State Parties held in Geneva in 2000. Malaysia also co-sponsored Resolution 55133 V on the Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,

Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel mines and on their destruction tabled in the United Nations General Assembly last year.

Malaysia is firm in its conviction that humanitarian sufferings caused by antipersonnel landmines far outweighs its military utility. In this context, we would like to see the political push for universal acceptance of this treaty be continued and accelerated. Malaysia also strongly believes that it is pertinent for the agenda of landmines to be placed high on the list of regional fora to complement efforts to universalise the Convention.

Thank you.

Geneva 15 February 2001.