Aliran supports the Malaysian government’s stand in refusing to yield to US pressure over Petronas’ investments in Iran. We cannot condone the US’ attempts to infringe on our country’s sovereignty.

A sovereign country such as Malaysia should have the right to choose its trading and investment partners -  especially since the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the major industrialised countries have been promoting trade liberalisation and globalisation.

We appreciate the usefulness and political value of economic sanctions mounted by the  world community, through the United Nations, against any nation guilty of blatant human rights abuses or violations of democratic norms. But the US’ ideological and economic fight with Iran is rather different and problematic, politically and ideologically.

For one, Iran seems to be one of the countries singled out by the US mainly because of the former’s independent stance on many international issues that runs counter to US geopolitical interests.

Second, if it’s true that Iran poses a military threat to West Asia in particular and the world in general, then the UN General Assembly and other regional groupings must take the country to task. Similarly, the US, with its political and military clout, can be deemed a threat to world peace, and therefore also needs to be closely monitored by the world body. The bullying tactics of the United States in the UN Security Council must also be curbed.

Third, if it’s a universal principle that a UN member country that violates human rights and democratic norms must be slapped with economic sanctions, then Israel, the US’ closest ally in West Asia, must also face world condemnation and trade sanctions. Israel has, for many years, been mistreating the  Palestinians and violating the sovereignty of its Arab neighbours.

Fourth, if a country is given the liberty to unilaterally impose its own domestic laws on other countries, the world will become a chaotic and dangerous place to live in. It will be a world where might is right.

Finally, for as long as the United States cherishes its hegemonic tendencies and refuses to resolve its double standards, its constant call to uphold human rights and democracy around the world, particularly in developing countries, sounds rather hollow.

Aliran Executive Committee
11 November 1997