KUALA LUMPUR, 21 March 2003 — The US-led war against Iraq will go down as a black mark in history and undermine the campaign against terrorism, Malaysia’s Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a broadcast to the nation yesterday.
“It is in contravention of international law, upon which the security and stability of the world is based,” Abdullah told Malaysians just hours after the first shots were fired against Iraq. “The world is now at a critical juncture following the action of the United States and its allies, which will go down as a black mark in history.
“The consequences of this war will not only have devastating implications on Iraq and the Middle East, but will ultimately impact upon the entire world. The international campaign to rid the world of terrorism will be undermined. Anti-American sentiment around the world will rise, as will extremism and militancy.”
Abdullah called on Malaysia’s own Muslim majority to avoid an emotional reaction and “prevent threats to public order and ensure the safety of foreign interests in Malaysia”.
His words came on the day Malaysian police announced the discovery of four tons of ammonium nitrate, a key-bomb-making ingredient, that had been destined for use against Western targets in neighboring Singapore.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Dell Akhbar Khan said more frequent patrols were being carried out by security personnel around Western embassies and tourist spots following the outbreak of the war.
Malaysia has repeatedly warned that an attack on Baghdad would inflame Islamic extremists and increase recruits to the ranks of terrorist organizations.
Abdullah said yesterday: “The world is now seeing that ‘might is right’. The fate of smaller nations appears to be at the mercy of those who possess military power.
“A large and powerful nation, along with its allies has acted with disregard for international law, humanity and universal justice. It has launched an attack against a sovereign state that has diminished capacity to defend itself. The use of military might to destroy nations that are weak and incapable of defending themselves will provoke the anger of the world community.”
Anti-war protesters took to the streets of several countries in Asia and security measures were stepped up in major capitals amid fears of retaliatory attacks.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, condemned the attack.
“The government and the people of Indonesia strongly criticize the unilateral action by the United States and its allies who decided to wage war against Iraq,” said President Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Moderate and radical Islamic leaders in Indonesia also reacted angrily and police stepped up security across the country.
Outside the US Embassy in Jakarta an estimated 1,000 protesters carried signs reading “Bush, go to hell” and “Terrorism No, Justice Yes.” Protests were also held in nine other Indonesian cities.
In New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark said “this government will not be assisting a war for which there was no case at this time.” Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called on Washington “be cautious and not to cause civilian damage.” Vietnam condemned the war as a “gross violation of fundamental principles of international law, including the UN Charter.”
