Topic: Situation in the Middle East
Country: Malaysia
Delegate Name: Arthur Woodworth
School: Kalamazoo Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Malaysia position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Malaysia has plenty of experience resolving terrorist crises. In Malaysia’s recent history, it has defeated a Communist insurgency and an insurgency being carried out in the name of Islam. Neither of these situations were resolved simply by military and policing efforts. The situations were resolved by trying to understand the underlying causes of the terrorist actions. Only after understanding why they felt compelled to commit such acts of violence was Malaysia able to quell the violence. On the specific issue of the so-called “Islamic State,” Malaysia has been extensively pushing to stem recruitment efforts through means of community policing to counter violent extremism among other similar initiatives. The issue must be addressed through both military and political means, with an emphasis on political methods.
The Security Council should encourage member states to implement community oriented policing schemes, as well as work to stem the flow of arms to Syria and the surrounding areas. Using these methods will slow the entrance of foreign fighters to the region, which exacerbates the crisis, as do purely military solutions. Military solutions will add to the grievances of people in the region, as well as foreign sympathizers. Though necessary to counter the crimes being perpetrated by the Islamic State, it should not be the only method used. Community programs will help to stop the growth of the crisis.
Malaysia has agreed to accept 3,000 Syrian migrants within the next three years in order to help the refugee crisis, and encourages other countries to accept such irregular migrants as well.
