STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. SYED MOHAMAD HASRIN AIDID
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON AGENDA ITEM 83:
THE RULE OF LAW AT THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS
SIXTH COMMITTEE, GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NEW YORK, 14 OCTOBER 2019
Mr. Chair,
1. Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Iran on behalf of NAM, and by Cambodia on behalf of ASEAN.
2. We wish to thank the Secretary General for his report on strengthening and coordinating United Nations rule of law activities as contained in document A/74/139.
3. We recall that resolution A/RES/73/207 of the General Assembly, among others, decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-fourth session the item entitled “The rule of law at the national and international levels”. Further, it invites Member States to focus their comments during the Sixth Committee debate on the subtopic “Sharing best practices and ideas to promote the respect of States for international law”.
4. Malaysia wishes to put on record that we fully and consistently subscribe to the principle of rule of law at the national and international levels. Since becoming a Member State of the United Nations on 17 September 1957, Malaysia has played an active role in advancing our strong commitment towards furthering the aims and purposes of the Organization. Our support is consistent with the principles of justice and international law as envisaged under Article 1 of the United Nations Charter.
5. Driven by our commitment to the rule of law, we have played an active role in various principal and subsidiary organs. For example, Malaysia had the honour and privilege to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council on four terms in 1965, 1989-1990, 1999-2000 and 2015-2016. In the area of human rights, we have had the privilege to serve in the Human Rights Council for two terms in 2006-2009 and 2010-2013 respectively. Across all of our memberships, Malaysia had been active in the discussions that encompassed sharing of experiences, challenges, success and best practices.
6. Since 2016, Malaysia is also a member of the Advisory Committee on the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law. As many others, we have benefitted from the Programme by participating in the regional courses and utilising the audiovisual library. We continue to support the Programme and its important work in disseminating the knowledge of international law to the wider public.
Mr. Chair,
7. Malaysia remains committed to multilateralism. We view the United Nations as the most constructive intergovernmental platform to advance States’ support and commitment towards the evolution of rules-based interaction among Member States. On this, Malaysia has continuously support and subscribe to amicable settlement of dispute through diverse measures and mechanisms such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, judicial settlement and other diplomatic arrangements.
8. Malaysia’s deep and strong conviction in conflict resolution through peaceful means stemmed from our own peaceful transition to independence in 1957. This has spurred us to continue our support and participation in various United Nations Peacekeeping Operations all over the globe. The deployment of Malaysia’s military and police personnel in these Operations is a manifestation of our strong commitment to shared responsibilities towards peace and security, and respect for international law.
9. Malaysia also attaches great importance to the promotion of progressive development of international law and its codification through the work of the International Law Commission (ILC). Malaysia follows closely the deliberations of the ILC at its annual session and participates in providing inputs and comments on the work, particularly during deliberations on the work of ILC item at this Committee. Malaysia believes that contribution of States through active and meaningful participation is essential in developing the rule of law at the international level.
Mr. Chair,
10. Democracy is one of the core values and principles of the United Nations. It is time for this Organization to systematically address this aspect not only in its engagement with other States, but also within its own structure. To this end, Malaysia recommends for steps to be taken to review the veto power of the privileged five that supersedes the views and wishes of other Member States.
11. Malaysia has consistently voiced our concerns that the use of veto power will continuously hamper the fulfilment of this Organization’s underlying aims and purposes – and that is to maintain international peace and security through prevention of wars between nations, in conformity with the principles of justice and international law.
Thank you.