DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has urged for sweeping reform of the United Nations (UN), including the abolition or limitation of the veto power held by the five permanent members of the Security Council, saying it has undermined peace efforts and public confidence in global governance.
Speaking at an executive talk featuring UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with United Nations Day on Monday, Fadillah said the current use of the veto power “has no moral justification” and called for authority to be restored to the UN General Assembly as the most representative body of the international community.
“We must look into reviewing the use or abuse of veto power. The veto power of the Permanent Five members must be abolished, or at the very least limited to the point of irrelevance.
“There is no moral justification for deliberating on peace while a single veto can block action. And in doing so, effectively condone the killing of thousands, as we see in Palestine today,” he said.
Fadillah emphasised that reform was essential to restore the UN’s legitimacy and credibility. “A reform of the UN is not about weakening it. This reform is about restoring its legitimacy,” he added.
“The authority must return to the people of the world, represented through the General Assembly. And the time has come to act firmly, including through sanctions against Israel, until justice is restored.”
He said the paralysis of the UN Security Council over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, along with other protracted crises, had eroded public faith in multilateral institutions.
“Multilateralism is under strain. From protracted conflicts to emerging crises, multilateral institutions are being challenged, criticised, and at times, branded ineffective,” he noted.
The Deputy Prime Minister praised Guterres’ “tireless leadership and moral clarity”, adding that under his stewardship, the UN had remained “a steadfast voice for peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.”
“Today we are here to celebrate what the UN stands for: hope, cooperation, and the belief that together, we can build a better future,” Fadillah said.
He reaffirmed Malaysia’s longstanding support for the UN since joining the organisation in 1957, noting that the government continues to uphold principles of peace, fairness, and multilateralism.
Highlighting Malaysia’s global contributions, Fadillah said the country had deployed over 800 peacekeepers in five UN peacekeeping operations and one special political mission worldwide.
Malaysia was recently recognised with a UN award for the participation of female peacekeepers, reflecting its commitment to gender inclusivity and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
Through the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine, Malaysia has also provided USD17 million in humanitarian and financial assistance since 2024, underscoring its continued solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Beyond peace and security, Malaysia has been advancing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“Achieving 43 per cent of its SDG indicators, Malaysia is significantly ahead of the global average of 17 per cent,” Fadillah said, citing the country’s Voluntary National Review presented in 2024.
As ASEAN Chair, Fadillah said Malaysia was prioritising the advancement of the ASEAN Power Grid — a regional initiative to enhance energy security and renewable integration.
“With projects linking Lao PDR, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, and future connections to Vietnam and the BIMP region, we are powering towards a cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive ASEAN,” he said.
Domestically, Malaysia is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, guided by the National Energy Transition Roadmap.
The government also plans to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, reflecting its enhanced climate ambitions.
Fadillah concluded hi address by reaffirming Malaysia’s belief in shared responsibility and multilateral cooperation: “Our work at the national, regional, and global levels reflects a consistent belief that the challenges we face are shared, and therefore must be met through shared solutions, in the true spirit of the United Nations.”
“As we celebrate UN Day, let us remind ourselves that every one of us — whether in government, civil society, or as ordinary Malaysians — has a part to play in shaping a fairer, greener, and more peaceful world.
“Let’s keep the conversations going, the partnerships strong, and translate our words into concrete and meaningful actions,” he said. - October 27, 2025
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