Cabinet Approves Ratification Of OIC Charter

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has ratified the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) new charter which, among others, aims to make the grouping more effective in implementing decisions, especially on problems faced by Muslim nations.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia would present its decision at the 35th OIC Conference in Kampala, Uganda from June 17 to 18.

"Malaysia's ability to ratify the charter within a short time is appreciated by OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu," Rais said here Friday after presenting a cheque for a donation to Nargis cyclone victims in Myanmar.

Rais said the charter contained provisions to make the OIC more effective in humanitarian efforts as the biggest Islamic organisation in the world.

"The charter also contains a provision for the setting up of an Islamic Court of Justice," he disclosed.

The revised charter was approved at the 11th OIC Summit in March 2008 in Dakar, Senegal. It replaces the charter which was registered in 1974 in conformity with Article 102 of the United Nations Charter.

The OIC new charter will come into force when approved by a two-third majority of the Council of Foreign Ministers and ratified by two thirds of the 57 member states. -- bernama