MALAYSIA has called for immediate institutional reform of the United Nations, urging the global body to adopt three specific measures to ensure more inclusive and accountable multilateralism in the face of growing global volatility.
Speaking at the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Johari Abdul proposed that the UN strengthen its ties with parliamentary institutions by establishing regular dialogues between the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UN Security Council.
“The initiative aims to ensure that parliamentary voices are heard in deliberations concerning peace and security,” he told delegates during the high-level debate session titled “Parliaments as Catalysts for Peace, Justice and Prosperity in a Turbulent World.”
The second proposal called for the creation of a rapid response mechanism under the UN to address global crises, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. The third recommendation focused on the urgent need for parliamentary oversight on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, to ensure that human accountability is preserved in an increasingly automated world.
“Parliamentary guidelines must be developed to safeguard human oversight in the age of advanced technologies,” Johari said.
Johari, who also serves as President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) 46th General Assembly, reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering inclusive, fair, and sustainable development, especially ahead of Malaysia’s hosting of the AIPA General Assembly this September.
“Prosperity for all demands closing the gaps between rich and poor, men and women, urban and rural. Justice demands that we stop the double standards in protracted conflicts, including ensuring the Palestinian people’s right to determine their own future,” he said.
He stressed that the conference must not remain a platform for rhetoric alone but serve as a “workshop” for concrete action.
“The world must know that amidst this global turmoil, parliamentarians must continue to work hand-in-hand to advance peace, justice and prosperity for all. Malaysia stands ready to play its part,” he added.
Reaffirming ASEAN’s position, Johari said the regional bloc remains committed to the goals and principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
“Multilateralism has underpinned progress for decades in trade, human rights, and poverty eradication. But evolving threats today risk undermining these hard-won achievements,” he warned. - July 31, 2025
