Former defence minister Hishammuddin defends himself on Malaysia's role in Yemen war
Why refer to NSC on Yemen ops, ex-servicemen ask Hisham
FMT Reporters
-December 6, 2018 9:18 AM
722SharesNational Patriots Association president Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji.
PETALING JAYA: A veterans group today questioned Hishammuddin Hussein’s response to the deployment of troops in support of the Saudi-led Arab coalition offensive in Yemen, saying the former defence minister’s referral to the National Security Council (NSC) raises more questions than answers.
“Is he implying that the NSC is the authority to sanction the deployment of Armed Forces troops overseas?” the National Patriots Association (Patriot) said in a statement.
“Is he saying that the Cabinet or Parliament has no role in sanctioning troop deployments overseas? Is he saying that the Armed Forces chief’s committee need not be consulted and can be bypassed?”
The matter surfaced earlier this week when Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong revealed in Parliament that the Malaysian Armed Forces aided the Arab coalition under Ops Yemen 2 without Cabinet approval.
He said Malaysia’s involvement was limited to tactical and logistical support for Saudi Arabia.
Hishammuddin had dodged questions on whether the operation needed Cabinet approval. However, he told Liew to seek clarification from the NSC.
“He (Liew) should know what the NSC is. I think he has forgotten the NSC. He said the operation was not brought up in Cabinet, so what about NSC? Ask NSC, ask them what we actually did,” he told reporters yesterday.
He also said the information would need to be declassified as it was of national importance.
Patriot president Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji urged Hishammuddin to explain where it is stipulated in the NSC Act that the council is empowered to deploy forces overseas and be part of a force engaged in war with another country.
“Hishamuddin must also explain what he meant by saying the information (relating to the deployment) must be declassified as it is of national importance.
“Is deploying troops to fight alongside another country that is at war deemed to be of national importance? Was there some form of a defence arrangement or an agreement between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia wherein Malaysia was obligated to assist Saudi Arabia in its war against Yemen?”
Arshad added that the people had been told the troops in Saudi Arabia were on standby to extricate Malaysians in Yemen back to Malaysia.
“If true, why were the troops there for more than three years? The mission for such an operation could have been accomplished in less than a month.”
He also maintained that the deployment of troops to assist Saudi Arabia in Yemen was illegal as it had not been authorised by the Cabinet or Parliament.
“The war in Yemen has been repeatedly accused by human rights groups of unlawful airstrikes on civilian targets, which amount to war crimes,” he said.
“It is also seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which Malaysia has no business in.”
Media release from Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (PPM-005-14-22052017)
On 5 December 2018. 76/2018.
HISHAMUDDIN NEEDS TO GIVE A BETTER EXPLANATION
Former Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein, on 5 December, in response to the question raised by Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong concerning the deployment of Armed Forces troops to Saudi Arabia had said, “ask NSC (National Security Council), ask them what we actually did”. He went further to say that, “the information must be declassified as it is of national importance”. The response by Hishamuddin raised more questions than answers.
Patriot is of the view that the response by Hishamuddin is even more confusing. Is he implying that the NSC is the authority to sanction the deployment of Armed Forces troops overseas? Is he saying that the Cabinet or Parliament has no role in sanctioning troops deployment overseas? Is he saying that the Armed Forces Chief’s Committee (Jawatankuasa Panglima Panglima) need not be consulted and can be bypassed?
We seek Hishamuddin to explain where it is stipulated in the NSC Act that the NSC is empowered to deploy forces overseas and be part of a force engaged in a war with another country? We believe Hishamuddin is also confused by not mentioning that the Armed Forces Chief’s Committee has a definite role to advise the government relating to troop deployment overseas.
Hishamuddin must also explain what he meant by saying the information (relating to the deployment) must be declassified as it is of national importance. Is deploying troops to fight alongside another country that is at war deemed of national importance? Was there some form of a defence arrangement or an agreement between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia wherein Malaysia was obligated to assist Saudi Arabia in its war against Yemen?
We were told that the troops in Saudi were to be ready to extricate Malaysians in Yemen back to Malaysia. If true, why were the troops there for more than three years? The mission for such operation could be accomplished in less than a month.
Patriot maintains that the troops deployment to assist Saudi Arabia in Yemen was illegal because there was no sanction from the Cabinet and Parliament. Furthermore, the overthrown Yemeni government led by Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi had already overstayed its electoral term, resigned once, and fled the country. Hadi’s legitimacy as head of government is in question. Hence, the Saudi-led attack in response to Hadi’s call for assistance against Yemeni rebel forces might be illegal too.
Under contemporary international law, all military actions against another sovereign state are unlawful. A military action could only be justified in three ways:
1. An act of self-defence.
2. Collective self-defence to aid an attacked ally, following a treaty of mutual defence recognised by the UN.
3. An international organisation with peacekeeping functions sanctioned by the UN Security Council.
The Saudi-led coalition attack on Yemen does not satisfy the above justifications. The war in Yemen has been repeatedly accused by human rights groups of unlawful airstrikes on civilian targets, amounting to war crimes. It is also seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which Malaysia has no business in.
BG Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
(PPM-005-14-22052017)
www.patriotkebangsaan.org.my
Translate
Popular Posts - Last 7 days
-
Tourism Malaysia lancar jualan tengah malam untuk warga Singapura sempena Deepavali di JB Bernama 12/10/2024 Edisi pertama Jualan Tengah Mal...
-
Bursa Malaysia dibuka meningkat, jejak prestasi semalaman pasaran AS Bernama 15/10/2024 Pada 9.06 am, indeks petunjuk utama FTSE Bursa Malay...
-
Rosmah’s tax-related charges bad in law - Lawyer Bernama 11/10/2024 Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's lawyer says there are no proceeds of an ...
-
Amaran ribut petir di lapan negeri, KL dan Putrajaya hari ini Bernama 15/10/2024 Berdasarkan amaran yang dimuat naik di media sosial jabatan...
-
Tanah runtuh Taman Melawati: Lebih 300 penduduk dipindah ke dewan serba guna - Polis Astro Awani 15/10/2024 Kejadian kira-kira pukul 10.30 p...
-
SC rekod 3,380 aduan penipuan, aktiviti tidak berlesan setakat suku ketiga 2024 Bernama 12/10/2024 Pada 2023, Suruhanjaya Sekuriti Malaysia ...
-
A new documentary on Indonesian pop queen Datuk Seri Rossa Roslaina Handiyani or Rossa, explores her journey in music, career, and lov...
-
Melaka poised to become EV manufacturing hub Bernama 15/10/2024 Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the use of EVs is crucial in s...
-
PM Anwar tinjau persiapan Belanjawan 2025 Bernama 17/10/2024 \ Semasa tinjauan kira-kira setengah jam itu, Perdana Menteri turut beramah me...
-
Sidang Dewan Rakyat tangguh 30 minit, Ahli Parlimen 'sangkut' dalam banjir Astro Awani 15/10/2024 Johari Abdul berkata, penangguhan...
Popular Posts - Last 30 days
-
Tourism Malaysia lancar jualan tengah malam untuk warga Singapura sempena Deepavali di JB Bernama 12/10/2024 Edisi pertama Jualan Tengah Mal...
-
BBQ Buffet Buy 2 Free 1 Experience a sumptuous BBQ Steamboat Buffet Dinner with Royale Chulan's exclusive "Buy 2 Free 1&qu...
-
Wan Saiful trial: Prosecution witness says RM38,160 deposited into Sinar Karangkraf account Bernama 18/09/2024 Former Bersatu Information c...
-
Malaysia raih jualan lebih RM400 juta di Ekspo China-ASEAN 2024 Bernama 03/10/2024 Abu Bakar berkata Matrade kekal fokus dalam menyokong pe...
-
Indecent dress run: Three men were arrested to help with the investigation Screen capture of participants dressed indecently in the 2024 Pa...
-
Bekas CEO 1MDB bukan saksi yang boleh dipercayai - Peguam Najib Bernama 30/09/2024 Wan Azwan Aiman, yang mewakili Najib, berkata saksi pend...
-
Paip pecah, sebahagian KL tiada air - Air Selangor Astro Awani 08/10/2024 Pengguna boleh mendapatkan maklumat berhubung gangguan bekalan air...
-
Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng charged with two offences linked to Iswaran's case 04 Oct 2024 SINGAPORE - Property tycoon Ong Beng Sen...
Blog Archive
-
▼
2018
(4100)
-
▼
Dec 2018
(305)
- Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) has appoin...
- MariaChin Abdullah lambasts Pakatan Harapan Govern...
- Saiful asks Anwar Did you declare money from Adrie...
- Former prime minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah ...
- Syed Saddiq & ARMADA slams BERSATU VP Tan Sri Rash...
- Tun Dr Mahathir says it again for the 100th time t...
- EPL Video Highlights Roundup (Sunday) | English Pr...
- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's press conference at Bers...
- A promise is a promise, says Dr M on stepping down...
- Tun Dr Mahathir Full Speech At BERSATU AGM- agreem...
- French regulators have seized several properties b...
- A cosmetic businessman has threatened legal action...
- Premier League Roundup | EPL | 29.12. 2018 | Liver...
- Legal entertainment operators here today pleaded w...
- Anwar says no review of appointments in PKR necess...
- Mujahid’s ‘kakanda-adinda’ letter inappropriate, c...
- Parents prefer buying Black School Shoes for their...
- PKR deputy Wanita chief Haniza Mohamed Talha said ...
- BERSATU AGM: Tun Dr Mahathir delivers a speech sho...
- Tun Dr Mahathirs Comment on Lim Kok Wing: When som...
- Vocal activist Marina Mahathir today slam dunked ...
- PPBM wing chiefs said that they had no idea about ...
- PTPTN said the fund gives out zakat based on its p...
- There will be no reshuffling of the Cabinet, Prime...
- Rafizi Ramli Told Off - Your INVOKE survey is ‘gar...
- Anwar Ibrahim Makes Several Shocking Appointments ...
- Rakaman Wawancara bersama Pengerusi BERSATU, Tun D...
- Number of marriages in Malaysia fell from 200,274 ...
- Netizents Slam Vigilantes Who Beat Up 2 Gay Men in...
- BERSATU Ketua Armada Syed Saddiq cedera jatuh moto...
- BERSATU- Youth and Women wings AGM - Full Speech...
- The rise of Bersatu is because of Armada. If Armad...
- Dad Booked On Every Flight his Stewardess Daughter...
- Azmin Ali has urged President Anwar Ibrahim to rev...
- Woman jumps to her death at Sunway Pyramid Shoppin...
- Blackmailed for nudes, sex and eventually money.
- More than 30 cars have been reported to have stall...
- Activist says its a hate crime, after two men caug...
- A Philippines Congressman Is Facing Charges on Ord...
- While on Vacation Prime Minister-in-waiting Datuk ...
- Ban on Pork Products, Malaysia stepping up enforce...
- Police Launch Manhunt after A man suffered serious...
- Ex Minister Hishammuddin's ex-aide found guilty of...
- No toll hikes for 21 highways in 2019,
- Johor Crown Prince Tells Sports Minister Syed Sadd...
- INFO GRAFIK TSUNAMI DI SELAT SUNDA
- Malaysia Radio Stations Online Live Broadcast - |...
- Woman Walked In On Her Husband Raping Her Daughter
- JMM president Datuk Azwanddin has been remanded f...
- Selepas Kena Sound Dengan Dr. Amalina Gadis tawar ...
- Couples Win Against CIMB compels banks and other f...
- English Premier League Roundup | EPL Highlights | ...
- The priest who had massaged the entire body of a v...
- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affair...
- Parents of a five-year-old boy were arrested after...
- Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) has appointed four n...
- Tabung Harapan Malaysia (THM) has broken the RM200...
- Indonesian singer whose three bandmates were kille...
- Police detained seven men, including a bus driver,...
- An attempt to bring in syabuAn attempt to bring in...
- 65 US Universities fight new visa policy announced...
- The first phase of the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), f...
- Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok is demandin...
- Organising a “wild party” in a private home is not...
- JMM President Azwanddin Hamzah has been arrested f...
- PM Takes A Break With A Street Cat Named Bob
- Oil in London fell below US$50 a barrel for the fi...
- Engkau Laksana Bulan - Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Feat Jam...
- Tun Dr Mahathir's Christmas Message: Malaysians fr...
- Jumpa Bayi Dalam Kotak Di Surau Taman Keramat
- GRO Berpesta Sempena Ambang Sambutan Hari Natal Di...
- OPS Mabuk Sempena Cuti Perayaan Krismas
- A fatwa issued by the Sabah State Fatwa Committee ...
- Starting Jan 1, 2019, restaurant customers caught ...
- French policeman pulls gun on yellow vest protesters
- Former production manager pleaded not guilty for t...
- Four friends have been charged with the Dec 12 kil...
- AirAsia sells 25 aircraft for RM3.22bil to investm...
- AirAsia Head of Communications Called Up by Police...
- Ivana Smit's Lawyer has accused an American-Kazakh...
- 6 individu yang didakwa di Mahkamah Majistret Peta...
- Permaisuri Johor : “Tuanku Sultan Johor (Sultan Ib...
- Bekas penyanyi kumpulan rock Melissa, Mohd Radzi ...
- In Malaysia Baharu the reality PBBM will be the pa...
- Any divorce of a marriage solemnised in a civil re...
- Tottenham moved within two points of second-placed...
- Only vocalist in Indonesian band Seventeen safe af...
- Crazy Matchday As Man City and Chelsea stunned | E...
- Khairuddin Responds to PKR Kedah Chief who said Dr...
- The World Watched As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Trans...
- Tun Dr Siti Hasmah dedicated a violin performance ...
- Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran has denied ...
- French National Assembly votes to treat palm oil ...
- Anwar Ibrahim has urged Pakatan Harapan (PH) leade...
- : More than 10 people are suing a law firm after t...
- Video - KL Police raided a club at Jalan P. Ramlee...
- Terdapat perancangan daripada pihak tidak bertangg...
- Terdapat perancangan daripada pihak tidak bertangg...
- Nine new faces on DBKL advisory board ‘not so new’...
- PM Sarcastically Says‘Rafizi knows what will happe...
-
▼
Dec 2018
(305)