UN Security Council veto power undemocratic, says Ismail Sabri

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob giving his speech at the general debate of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters Friday (Sept 23). - Photo: Bernama

NEW YORK: Malaysia wants the veto power at the United Nations (UN) Security Council to be abolished, consistent with the principle of one country, one vote, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Prime Minister said the conflict and crises plaguing the world today, including in Ukraine, Palestine and Myanmar cannot be resolved due to flaws in the global governance system and the United Nations itself.

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“The biggest problem in the UN is the Security Council. The veto power is often abused to side with the world powers who possess it.” he said at the 77th United Nations General Assembly on Friday (Sept 23) (Saturday (Sept24), Malaysia time).

Clad in black baju Melayu complete with a gold-threaded sampin and songkok, this was Ismail Sabri’s first physical appearance at the UNGA podium.

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Speaking on the stage in Bahasa Malaysia, the Prime Minister described veto power as undemocratic.

“It violates the basic principles of democracy. It has resulted in conflicts not being able to be resolved by any permanent representative of the Council,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said as an organisation that carries the spirit and symbol of democracy, the UN must return to the track of its formation.

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The Prime Minister also spoke on climate change, touching on how it had impacted Malaysia.

He related how the floods at the end of last year, considered as the most serious in history, had resulted in losses amounting to US$1.4bil (RM6.1bil).

He said the effects of climate change were not just felt by Malaysia but also other countries, adding that mitigation measures must continue to be made.

“Developed countries shoulder the responsibility to increase aid to developing nations by fulfilling their commitment to prepare an allocation of US$100bil (RM458bil) a year, without any conditions.

“This aid will help materialise actions on climate change,” he said.