Malaysia Wary of Proliferation Security Initiative

Potential legal issues have created concerns in Malaysia about joining the U.S.-led effort to interdict unconventional weapons and WMD materials on the high seas, Agence France-Presse reported yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 17, 2005).

“We are still studying it.  There are some items in the Proliferation Security Initiative which the legal side are not so comfortable with,” Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said at a maritime security event.  He did not elaborate.

More than 70 nations have joined the effort or taken observer status since its inception.  It is intended to prevent terrorists or rogue nations from acquiring biological, chemical or nuclear weapons.

“Malaysia is certainly concerned over proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its components and supports the ideals of PSI,” Najib said.  “Malaysia, however, has some reservations with regards to certain aspects of the initiative which we feel do not conform to accepted international norms.”

Malaysia in the last two years has been an observer to PSI drills (Agence France-Presse/Spacewar.com, April 17).

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