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Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on our permanent representative's call to define terrorism as a precondition to formulate effective strategy against it. 4.10.2001.

The terror struck in New York and Washington on September 11 has led to reactions. To assuage America sentiment, President Bush gives rousing rhetoric. The world mass media carry September 11 news continuously. The attacks affected Sarawak state election on September 27, 2001, to the advantage of the Barisan Nasional.

Yesterday, Malaysian representative in the United Nations asked in the
UN general assembly for the definition of terrorism. He has a basis.

The September 11 attacks with 19 kamikaze hijackers ramming airliners on the World Trade Centre, killing over 6,000 people are defined as terrorism. Then, terror occurs in many countries such as Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland, Palestine and Israel. It was suspected that a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber killed the former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.

WORLD CONVENTION

Besides definition of terrorism, the Malaysian Government requires
strategy to convince U.S.A. and other members of the United Nations, UN, to take part in a world convention on terrorism. This would galvanize further the energy of the world to combat all forms of extremism especially terrorism.

We have seen that the UN has passed a resolution by U.S.A. on freezing the assets of terrorists. In fact, freezing assets of terrorists is a step to fight terrorism. Apart from U.S.A., Britain has frozen Taliban assets worth U.S. 60 million.

We know that some countries such as Egypt support a world convention on terrorism. China and other countries have suggested more involvement of UN against terrorism. Malaysia needs to attract these nations towards the convention. We are against terrorism. We believe that virtually all people abhor it. However, in our efforts to eradicate it, we must not harm the innocents.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw