Malaysia still negotiating WHO pandemic prevention agreement, says Zaliha

Malaysia still negotiating WHO pandemic prevention agreement, says Zaliha

Health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa says the country’s sovereignty comes first, amid fears that the UN agency could intervene in a future crisis.

Dr Zaliha Mustafa said nothing has been finalised yet on the agreement. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Malaysia is still negotiating with the World Health Organization (WHO) on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (WHO CA+) and amendments to the International Health Regulation (IHR 2005), says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

The health minister said no decision has been made and nothing finalised yet.

“I will give my commitment to always put the country’s sovereignty first in the negotiation process,” she said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

It comes after some quarters called for the government to oppose the amendments and any proposed treaty, fearing that they would threaten the country’s sovereignty.

According to Harian Metro, Muslim consumer group PPIM activist Nadzim Johan said the government must reject the amendments to the IHR and they must state their objection by Dec 1.

Nadzim said failing to object to the amendments will allow WHO to “take over” the country’s administration in the event of a pandemic.

“If the amendments (to IHR 2005) happen and it is not opposed by the prime minister, we will be bound by its terms and conditions.

“It will give power to WHO to take over if it feels the country needs to be saved WHO’s way,” he said after handing over a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, today.

Nadzim, who was accompanied by Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) vice-president Ahmad Jufliz Faiza, also said he had handed a copy of the the memorandum to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

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