Malaysia and Indonesia refuse to join Islamic Military Alliance as it is yet unveil definition of terrorism
Monitoring Desk: Malaysia and Indonesia refuse to join Islamic Military Alliance as it is yet unveil definition of terrorism. The 34 nations Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance to fight with ISIS has yet to unveil its budget, area of work, term of reference and definition of terrorism that will steer this alliance.
It may be mentioned that Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman while announcing coalition said the new Islamic military coalition will develop mechanisms for working with other countries and international bodies to support counterterrorism efforts. He said their efforts would not be limited to only countering the Islamic State group.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Oman have regretted to join the coalition while Iran, Iraq and Syria have not been allowed and invited to join.
The name of Malaysia was included in the list of members released by Saudi Defence Ministry but it has denied its membership. Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein told journalists that Malaysia will not join Riyadh; however it will continue to be part of the international fight against terrorism, reports Rakyat Post today. Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein while addressing journalists said that Malaysians have not committed any armed support to alliance yet and he will visit Saudi Arabia soon on the invitation of Saudi King.
Foreign Ministry spokesman of Indonesia said it is “important for Indonesia to first have details before deciding to support” any military actions. However, Indonesian Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said Indonesia did not to join a military alliance with Saudi Arabia.
Members include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, The Palestinians, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togos, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
It maybe mentioned that the only atomic power in Islamic world Pakistan first categorically refused any information to join the alliance but then announced its participation.
Pakistan first denied its participation as its Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry told journalists that he got to know of the coalition through news reports and maintained that Pakistan was not consulted about coalition. However, official spokesman of Foreign Office during media talk confirmed that Pakistan had joined the alliance. Journalistic circles of Pakistan claim that confusion in Pakistan Foreign Office regarding alliance was result of confusion between Civil and Military leadership of the country. Circles believe that Pakistan expressed its interest to join such coalition during the recent visit of Chief of Pakistan Army to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with the King Salman while such understanding might not passed down to the foreign office.
Alliance has not been welcomed by moderate elements of society in Pakistan and head of third largest party in parliament Imran Khan has demanded a debate in the parliament before joining any such alliance.
Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali called this alliance as disastrous for Pakistan during addressing a book launching ceremony on Thursday in Lahore.
The Senator of opposition party in Pakistan Parliament, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Saeed Ghani on Friday urged the government to clear the matter of Pakistan’s participation in alliance of 34 Islamic countries against terrorism. Talking to media outside the Parliament House, he said there was a need to know the reasons behind the move to establish a common force as Iran and Syria were not included in this union. To a query, he said steps should be taken to fully implement the National Action Plan (NAP) to get complete success against terrorism.
