‘Malaysia played key role in UNSC’

Working together: Anifah (left) briefing Dr Ahmad Zahid at a UNSC meeting on the situation in Syria. — Bernama

Malaysia’s non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC ) will end on Dec 31, 2016. As the end of our membership nears, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman recalls the process that led to Malaysia securing a seat on the council from Jan 1, 2015, to Dec 31, 2016, as well as Malaysia’s experience in carrying out its responsibilities while on the council.

The campaign

The campaign for Malaysia’s non-permanent membership of the UNSC for the term 2015-2016 began immediately after we submitted and announced our candidature in June 2001.

Lobbying for the support of the other UN members was conducted through the ministry’s engagement with the foreign diplomatic missions in Kuala Lumpur and representations made by our diplomats worldwide to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of their host or concurrently accredited countries.

Lobbying was also undertaken during bilateral meetings involving the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Foreign Minister and myself with foreign leaders and ministers during official visits or at the sidelines of major international meetings.

The elections

The elections were held on Oct 16, 2014, at the UN General Assembly. Malaysia had to obtain a minimum number of 129 votes to be selected. We received 187 votes.

The membership

Malaysia was fully committed and determined to carry out its responsibilities as a council member in fulfilling the mandate of the UNSC in a responsible manner.

We advocated five priorities – promote moderation as an approach in conflict resolution, promote mediation as a tool for the peaceful settlement of disputes, promote the enhancement of UN peacekeeping operations, support peace-building in countries emerging from conflict, and encourage continued discussion on UNSC reform. Other issues that were important to Malaysia included MH17, Palestine, humanitarian issues, counter-terrorism, and children and armed conflict.

Malaysia served as the President of the UNSC in June 2015 and August 2016. These were occasions for Malaysia to pursue initiatives on issues of importance to us.

In June 2015, Malaysia organised a high-level open debate on children and armed conflict.

Our resolution aimed at increasing accountability for perpetrators that committed abduction of children in situations of armed conflict was unanimously adopted by the UNSC and co-sponsored by 56 UN members. This will be one of Malaysia’s lasting contributions to the UN system on the protection of children in conflict situations.

We also undertook initiatives to promote peace-building in post-conflict countries and to discuss the multiplier effects of climate change on international peace and security.

In August 2016, Malaysia organised a high-level open debate on weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. It succeeded in raising awareness on the threat of WMD falling into the wrong hands, particularly terrorists’, and the need for UN members to work together to prevent this from happening.

To ensure that the plight of the Palestinian people continue to receive the attention of the global community, Malaysia chaired three Arria-formula meetings on the situation in Gaza, protection for the people of Palestine and illegal Israeli settlements.

Malaysia’s biggest disappointment was when our initiative on a draft resolution proposing the creation of an international tribunal to bring to justice those responsible for the downing of the MH17 failed due to the exercise of the veto.

The way forward

As Malaysia completes its term on the council, we will continue to support the work of the UNSC and cooperate constructively with the wider UN membership in finding peaceful resolutions to conflicts. We will also continue to promote moderation as an approach to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Conclusion

I have often been asked this question – how does Malaysia’s membership of the UNSC benefit Malaysia and its people?

In today’s globalised world, an event in one corner of the world could ricochet and impact other corners of the globe. As a trading nation, international peace and security is vital for Malaysia’s continued development and prosperity. Membership of the UNSC accords Malaysia the opportunity to be directly involved in the maintenance of international peace and security. It allows Malaysia to promote and pursue our foreign policy objectives towards preserving a conducive, peaceful and secure global environment for the benefit of its people.

I would like to express my appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for his leadership, guidance and trust. This has been invaluable to me and my officers.

I have found Malaysia’s membership of the UNSC to be very enriching, professionally and personally. This will remain one of the most memorable experiences of my tenure as Foreign Minister.