WHO treaty, IHR agreement won't be decided before Dec 1 - minister

 

PARLIAMENT | The government refuted claims that it must decide on ratifying or rejecting two international health agreements before Dec 1.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said negotiations over the World Health Organization Convention Agreement (WHO CA+) and the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) amendment are still ongoing.

“For WHO CA+, based on Article 19 of the WHO constitution, countries who are members are given the opportunity to opt into the new instrument and (the deadline is) estimated to be in May 2024.

“I would like to emphasise that the negotiations for the preparation of the (Intergovernmental Negotiating Body) INB WHO CA+ document are still at an early stage. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

“So the claims are not true,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Zaliha said this in response to Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (Perikatan Nasional – Setiu) who asked for the Health Ministry’s position on the matter.

Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (Perikatan Nasional – Setiu)

This comes after the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) demanded the government reject the IHR 2005 amendment and WHO CA+ before Dec 1, which it claimed to be the deadline for Malaysia to object.

PPIM expressed fear that the international agreements could threaten the country’s sovereignty by allowing foreign powers to make decisions on declaring pandemic emergencies.

Elaborating on the WHO CA+ negotiations, Zaliha explained that Malaysia has attended all six sessions held so far. The seventh will be held from Nov 6 to 10.

As for negotiations regarding the IHR amendment, Malaysia has attended five sessions and the sixth will be held from Dec 7 to 8.

“These negotiations are still ongoing and will continue until all negotiations are completed in April 2024.”

Preserving national sovereignty

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament later, Zaliha said the government’s stance is to ensure the country’s sovereignty and autonomy will not be violated by any party.

The coalition government will also not compromise with any decision that goes against the Federal Constitution, she added.

“The government is committed to the preservation of national sovereignty, the authority of Malay rulers and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as well as the people’s fundamental rights to freedom.

“The ministry is now actively engaging with 12 agencies and ministries to examine the amendment of the IHR and WHO CA+.

“In addition, two committees have been established to examine the position of the government on this issue. These two committees are also members of the 12 agencies and ministries.

“The decisions made by these two committees will be brought to the cabinet meeting to be finalised,” she said. - Mkini