KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has officially submitted its candidacy to rejoin the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member for the 2036-2037 term, says deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
He said Malaysia will continue to make UNSC reform, chief among them the abolition of the veto along with global peace and security, a top priority in its foreign policy.
He said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will reaffirm Malaysia’s stance during the national statement at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York this September.
“The veto power is unjust and must be abolished. At the very least, its use must be disallowed in cases involving violations of international law, particularly grave offences such as war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, as witnessed in Gaza.
“UNSC reform and global peace and security issues will remain a top priority in Malaysia’s foreign policy,” he said in response to a question from Pekan MP Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali at the Dewan Rakyat.
Sh Mohmed Puzi had sought clarification on Malaysia’s position regarding the disproportionate veto power wielded by major nations within the UNSC.
Lukanisman said Malaysia’s voice at the United Nations is not mere rhetoric, but is backed by its strong track record as a non-permanent member of the UNSC on four separate occasions.
He said Malaysia has proposed limiting the use of the veto power if its complete abolition cannot be achieved.
Malaysia also supports the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent UNSC membership to ensure fairer representation for every region, he said.
Lukanisman said Malaysia had voted in favour of UN General Assembly Resolution 76/262 in 2022, which mandates that the General Assembly must automatically convene within 10 working days whenever a veto is exercised by a UNSC permanent member.
