The Foreign Affairs Ministry today said it was 'unfortunate' that the European Parliament has opted for a 'monologue' in Malaysia by passing a resolution on Thursday outlining human rights abuses in the country.

Nevertheless, it said the Malaysian government will uphold the freedom of opinion, expression and assembly and will seek to engage the EU at its next available opportunity.

“ Malaysia has taken an open attitude towards these interactions (with the EU at various meetings) because we are firmly convinced that mutual concerns can only be addressed through dialogue rather than through a monologue [...]

“ We therefore view it as unfortunate that the European Parliament has acted hastily and chosen monologue by issuing this resolution.

​“ The government of Malaysia strongly believes that full respect must be provided to any sovereign country to decide on its internal affairs.

“ In line with this, it is indispensable to all countries, including Malaysia, to be given the required space to ensure the continued peace, security and stability of the country,” it said in a statement.

The European Parliament, which is part of legislative arm of the EU, had passed the 17-point resolution detailing a litany of human rights abuses in Malaysia during a sitting in Strasbourg, France.

“ (The European Parliament) deplores the deteriorating human rights situation in Malaysia and in particular the crackdown on civil society activists, academics, media and political activists; expresses concern with regard to the spike in the number of people facing charges or arrest under the Sedition Act.

“ (It is) particularly concerned about the adoption of the National Security Council bill and urges its withdrawal; calls on the government to maintain a proper balance between the need to safeguard national security while protecting civil and political rights,” the resolution stated.

It further said that it 'deeply deplores' the rise of supremacist groups in Malaysia adding that this promotes ethnic tensions.

Among others, the European Parliament urged that all 'political prisoners' in Malaysia be released and all politically motivated charges be dropped.

These include those against former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for sodomy and the multiple sedition charges against cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque.

The wide-ranging resolution also urges Malaysia to establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) mooted in 2005, to refrain from putting pressure on the MACC and the media, and to impose a moratorium on the death penalty pending its abolition.

It further called on Malaysia to extend a standing invitation to allow any of the UN Human Rights Council special rapporteurs to visit Malaysia without them asking for an invitation first.

'Encourage reform'

The members of European Parliament are directly elected through elections throughout the EU and form one of two parts of the EU legislature. The other half is known as the Council of the EU, which comprises ministers from EU governments.

The European Commission, which is elected by members of the European Parliament, forms the executive arm of the EU.

Through its resolution, the European Parliament urged the European Commission to ensure that human rights concerns are taken into account in future negotiations of EU-Malaysia free trade agreements, as well as partnership and cooperation agreements.

It also urged the EU and its 28 member states to coordinate policies towards Malaysia that would encourage reform in the areas of concern highlighted by the resolution.

In particular, it told the EU delegation to Malaysia to increase efforts in financing projects that promote freedom of expression and reform of repressive laws.