M'SIA ACCEDES TO ROME STATUTE OF ICC

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has acceded to the Rome Statute
of the International Criminal Court (ICC), making it the third country in
Asean to accede to the declaration to end impunity for genocide, crimes against
humanity and war crime.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz said it was
important for Malaysia, which had become a member of the ICC, to accede to the
Rome Statute as it not only reinforced Malaysia's stand against war crimes, but
also placed the country at the same level with other countries in the United
Nations.

"It is also natural for Malaysia to accede to the Rome Statute as the
country has long been involved in peacekeeping worldwide.

"This decision was made at the Cabinet meeting last Friday, after taking
into consideration Malaysia's involvement in peacekeeping, often sending its
armed forces team for this purpose under the aegis of the United Nations to
strife-torn countries like Somalia, Bosnia and Lebanon.

"Hence, it is consistent with the role played by Malaysia for it to accede
to the Rome Statute, that is, an agreement to fight international crimes like
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crime," he told reporters at the
Parliament lobby, Monday.

Nazri said that by acceding to the statute, Malaysia submitted itself to the
scrunitising of the ICC and its laws, besides committing itself to maintaining
peace and harmony in the country.

"We don't want to see what happens in some other countries like Rwanda,
happening here. We are a multi-racial and multi-religious society.

"This is a statement and commitment by the government and Malaysians that
such crimes will not happen here," he said.

Member of Parliament M. Kulasegaran, who is also the organising secretary of
the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Consultative Assembly on the Universality of the
Rome Statute of ICC, said acceding to the statute would enhance Malaysia's image
at the global stage.

"The parliamentarians are ready to start work on the legislation to
implement the obligations contained in the Rome Statute, including procedures to
fully cooperate with the ICC and norms to incorporate international crimes and
general principles of international criminal law into the domestic legal order,"
he said.

Cambodia and Timor Leste have already become members of the ICC and acceded
to the Rome Statute, while the Philippines is expected to follow soon.