OIC NEED TO GO BEYOND RHETORICAL REMARKS, SAID FOREIGN MINISTER

ASTANA (KAZAKHSTAN) July 29 (Bernama) –- The Organisation of Islamic
Conference must go beyond rhetoric and reinvent itself in the context of the new
realities and challenges facing Muslims, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman
said today.

He said the relevance of the OIC in today’s world was being questioned as
was its credibility and effectiveness.

“Are we so helpless that others are able to influence and dictate our
decision making? We need to build on our strengths and abundant resources to
raise the OIC to be the voice it should be for the Muslim world,” he said at
the 38th OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting here.

Anifah, speaking on behalf of the Asian region at the three-day meeting,
said the 57 OIC members must have a clear road map and action plan to achieve
their vision and common goals.

He said the OIC should strengthen bonds of cooperation by increasing
intra-trade among members and with economic entities outside of the organisation
to achieve greater economic stability and clout.

Anifah outlined Malaysia's proposal for an Implementation Coordination Unit,
headed by a senior and experienced official, to be established under the OIC
Secretariat, to oversee, streamline and coordinate the various programmes and
initiatives undertaken by member countries.

He said that it was "critically important" that the OIC continuously prove
to the world that it is a credible player to be reckoned with in the
international arena and a voice not to be ignored.

Anifah also reiterated the steadfast support of the government and people of
Malaysia for the restoration of Palestinian’s inalienable right to self-rule and
ultimately the establishment of an independent state of Palestine in the "very
near future”.

--BERNAMA