Dr M marks return to UNGA with criticism of veto power in Security Council
YUSHAIMI YAHAYA
New Straits Times29 September 2018
NEW YORK: A tenacious Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad marked his return to the United Nations general assembly (UNGA) by lambasting the inaction to democratise the Security Council.
Picking up where he left off 15 years ago, the prime minister was scathing in his remarks as he again hit out against the veto power held by the United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia and France in the council.
He had previously called for the veto power in the Council to not be held by just one permanent member but by at least two powers backed by three non-permanent members.
“I had suggested that the veto should not be by just one permanent member but by at least two powers backed by three non-permanent members of the Security Council.
“The General Assembly should then back the decision with a simple majority. I will not say more.”
In his statement at the assembly’s general debate, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia lauded the UN for its efforts to end poverty, protect the planet and maintain peace and prosperity.
“But I would like to refer to the need for reform in the organisation.
“Five countries on the basis of their victories 70 over years ago cannot claim to have a right to hold the world to ransom forever.
“They cannot take the moral high ground, preaching democracy and regime change in the countries of the world when they deny democracy in this organisation.”
Dr Mahathir has long been a fierce crusader of the abolishment of the veto power held by the five superpowers.
Critics have argued that the veto power is the main cause for international inaction on war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The UN has been the subject of criticism for its unwillingness to abolish the veto system which critics claim was due to the superpowers’ major funding of its operations and programmes.
Dr Mahathir said while the world without the UN would be disastrous, no one should threaten it with financial deprivation.
“We need the UN, we need to sustain it with sufficient funds.”
Dr Mahathir said the world was worse off now than when he last spoke at the UNGA 15 years ago.
“When I last spoke here in 2003, I lamented how the world had lost its way.
“I bemoaned the fact that small countries continued to be at the mercy of the powerful.
“I argued the need for the developing world to push for reform, to enhance capacity building and diversify the economy. We need to maintain control of our destiny.
“But today, 15 years later the world has not changed much. If at all the world is far worse than 15 years ago.
“Today, the world is in a state of turmoil economically, socially and politically," he said.
Dr Mahathir pointed out that
the UN’s role was to end wars between nations.
“There is something wrong with our way of thinking, with our value system. Kill one man, it is murder, kill a million and you become a hero.”
Dr Mahathir said arms manufacturers were selling their weapons to small warring nation for the purpose of testing them and making huge profits.
“They profit shamelessly from the deaths and destructions they cause. Indeed, so-called peace-loving countries often promote this shameful business.” © New Straits Times
YUSHAIMI YAHAYA
New Straits Times29 September 2018
NEW YORK: A tenacious Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad marked his return to the United Nations general assembly (UNGA) by lambasting the inaction to democratise the Security Council.
Picking up where he left off 15 years ago, the prime minister was scathing in his remarks as he again hit out against the veto power held by the United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia and France in the council.
He had previously called for the veto power in the Council to not be held by just one permanent member but by at least two powers backed by three non-permanent members.
“I had suggested that the veto should not be by just one permanent member but by at least two powers backed by three non-permanent members of the Security Council.
“The General Assembly should then back the decision with a simple majority. I will not say more.”
In his statement at the assembly’s general debate, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia lauded the UN for its efforts to end poverty, protect the planet and maintain peace and prosperity.
“But I would like to refer to the need for reform in the organisation.
“Five countries on the basis of their victories 70 over years ago cannot claim to have a right to hold the world to ransom forever.
“They cannot take the moral high ground, preaching democracy and regime change in the countries of the world when they deny democracy in this organisation.”
Dr Mahathir has long been a fierce crusader of the abolishment of the veto power held by the five superpowers.
Critics have argued that the veto power is the main cause for international inaction on war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The UN has been the subject of criticism for its unwillingness to abolish the veto system which critics claim was due to the superpowers’ major funding of its operations and programmes.
Dr Mahathir said while the world without the UN would be disastrous, no one should threaten it with financial deprivation.
“We need the UN, we need to sustain it with sufficient funds.”
Dr Mahathir said the world was worse off now than when he last spoke at the UNGA 15 years ago.
“When I last spoke here in 2003, I lamented how the world had lost its way.
“I bemoaned the fact that small countries continued to be at the mercy of the powerful.
“I argued the need for the developing world to push for reform, to enhance capacity building and diversify the economy. We need to maintain control of our destiny.
“But today, 15 years later the world has not changed much. If at all the world is far worse than 15 years ago.
“Today, the world is in a state of turmoil economically, socially and politically," he said.
Dr Mahathir pointed out that
the UN’s role was to end wars between nations.
“There is something wrong with our way of thinking, with our value system. Kill one man, it is murder, kill a million and you become a hero.”
Dr Mahathir said arms manufacturers were selling their weapons to small warring nation for the purpose of testing them and making huge profits.
“They profit shamelessly from the deaths and destructions they cause. Indeed, so-called peace-loving countries often promote this shameful business.” © New Straits Times
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