The Al Jazeera news reported that since 2015, Saudi Arabia has formed a coalition forces comprising several Arab states to help the country in its conflict with Yemen. Malaysia, is understood to have sent our military personnel to join the coalition forces. A number of western countries comprising the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States are also assisting the coalition forces by providing equipment, stores and intelligence support. If the Al Jazeera news report is true, the Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (PPK) wants to register its strongest protest against the participation of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) in the Saudi-led coalition forces and the involvement of our military personnel in this Middle Eastern conflict.
Here are some questions that the MAF and government leaders should answer if it is true that MAF are involved in the conflict in the Middle East, whether directly or indirectly. Our questions are as follows:
- Does Malaysia has any military agreements with Saudi Arabia allowing our country to send its troops to Saudi Arabia, when military assistance is requested?
- Who or which authority has the mandate to authorise the MAF to be deployed outside the country to assist Saudi Arabia in its conflict with Yemen?
- Has the 'Jawatankuasa Panglima-Panglima' (JPP) discussed and approved our military deployment to Saudi Arabia?
- Is the authorisation to deploy our military personnel to Saudi Arabia decided by the cabinet alone? If this decision is made by the cabinet, does the cabinet have the absolute authority to deploy our troops overseas to join the coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia?
- Who is financing the cost of MAF's involvement in Saudi Arabia so far?
- In the event of any injury or death involving members of the armed forces, who shall be held accountable?
- According to the Federal Constitution, Yang Di Pertuan Agung (YDPA) is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Does the YDPA endorse MAF's involvement in Saudi Arabia's conflict with Yemen?
- What are the roles and tasks of MAF in the Coalition Forces?
- Why is this very important issue not debated in Parliament?
- Has this Saudi Arabia-led coalition's military actions against Yemen been authorised by the United Nations Security Council?
We believe it is unwise for the MAF to be involved in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, which has unnecessarily put our military personnel in harm's way.
Isn't the government aware that many Malaysians are pursuing religious studies in several institutions in Yemen? Should Saudi Arabia's conflict with Yemen spread to other areas, wouldn't this threaten the safety of our citizens in Yemen?
