Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
It has just been confirmed that Malaysia is the new Non Permanent Member of United Nations Security Council for 2015-6, after polling 187 out of total 192 votes casted. The South East Asian nation is in the cohort of New Zealand, Venezuela and Angola, for a two years term beginning 31 December 2014.
UN General Assembly voting to elect non-permanent Security Council members
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16 October 2014 –
With one round of voting complete, the United Nations General Assembly has just elected Angola, Malaysia, Venezuela, New Zealand to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2014.
The new members will take up their seats on 1 January 2015 and will serve on the Council until 31 December 2016.
The Assembly will move into a round of restricted balloting to choose either Spain or Turkey to fill the remaining seat on the Council open to the Western European and Other States Group.
The five seats available for election in 2014, distributed regionally, are: one seat for the African Group (currently held by Rwanda); one seat for the Group of Asia- Pacific Group (currently held by the Republic of Korea); one seat for the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, (currently held by Argentina); and two seats for the Western European and Others Group (currently held by Australia and Luxembourg).
Lithuania will maintain for another year, the seat for the Eastern European Group.
The respective contenders for the upcoming vacancies were Angola (Africa), Malaysia (Asia-Pacific) and Venezuela (Latin America and the Caribbean). There were three nations vying for the two seats designated for Western European and Other States – New Zealand, Spain and Turkey.
New Zealand was selected in the first round of voting.
The five permanent Council members, which each wield the power of veto, are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Along with Lithuania, the non-permanent members that will remain on the Council until the end of 2015 are Chad, Chile, Jordan, and Nigeria.
Under the UN Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Each of the Council’s members has one vote. Under the Charter, all UN Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.
The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.
The Security Council also recommends to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and the admission of new Members to the United Nations. And, together with the General Assembly, it elects the judges of the International Court of Justice.
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The Malaysian foreign policy of a moderate muslim nation under Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak and consistent hardwork of Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman in the international politics and diplomacy arena, provided the confidence of this membership the most strategic defense and security forum.
Malaysia also provided pivotal role in regional security when peace was managed to be brokered in South Thailand and Southern Philippines.
Malaysia’s foreign policy is an extension of the attitude and strategy as a trading nation, which befriends all nations based on universally accepted international law and bi-lateral relationship.
This is the fourth time Malaysia was accepted into the UN Security Council as a Non Permanent Member, after stints in 1965. 1989 and 1999.
*Updated 17 October 2014 0830hrs
Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak who is in Milan, Italy for the ASEM summit with EU leaders, accolades Malaysia’s consistent policy as a moderate muslim nation as they point of getting the international community trust and confidence for the two years stint at UNSC:
The Star story:
Published: Friday October 17, 2014 MYT 8:36:00 AM
Updated: Friday October 17, 2014 MYT 8:46:38 AMNajib: Malaysia’s stand in moderation helped country clinched UN seat
BY ESTHER NG
MILAN (Italy): Malaysia won a seat in the United Nations Security Council largely because of the country’s stand in moderation and its international relations, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Prime Minister, who described the success in securing a seat in the 15-man body as “extremely meaningful”, said he believed the international community reacted positively to Malaysia’s policies, its responsible approach to issues and principle-based measures.
“They know we absolutely reject extremism which I made very clear in my speech at the United Nations last month,” he told reporters here, Friday.
Najib, who was delighted with the results, said Malaysia’s success in winning over 187 out of 193 votes was excellent.
On Thursday night, Malaysia was “returned” to the UN Security Council after a 15-year absence, representing the Asia Pacific region.
Malaysia had officially put in its bid for the seat, one of five vacancies of the total 10 non-permanent seats. Five others are permanent members.
He said the number of countries, which supported Malaysia exceeded that of the two previous occasions – 143 votes (for the 1989 to 1990 term) and 174 votes (the 1999 to 2000 term).
Najib said Malaysia’s success reflected the acceptance of the international community towards the country’s principled-based foreign policies.
“This also means they think we are highly credible and deserve to have a say in the Security Council,” he added.
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The "thirteen million plus Ringgit" guy rambles.... 
Good that Malaysia got it and congratulations are in order.
Not that it means Malaysia has any power – the Five Permanent Members US, Russia, Britain, France and China have them – but sure being in the Council enables Malaysia to speak up “with a Security Council voice”.
And I hope speak Malaysia will do. On so many things wrong in the world to day. On Ebola we may not have any expertise or experience to say. But preventing further outbreaks and its spread we sure can say. To ensure it does not reach our shores.
IS, ISL, ISIS, the Levant whatever their names, we can also say. Anything terroristic in nature we must continue to always say.
While we cannot hope for permanent peace in the world to day, let’s at least hope and pray for relative peace.
I have misgivings on the very nature of the Security Council. The 5 Permanent Members have a No, Nyet, Bo and whatever word for blocking Security Council decisions when not to their individual interests.
Yet we saw stupid blokes like George W Bush and attention-seeking, no-longer Imperialistic British Tony Blair taking a so-called Coalition of the Willing to bomb Iraq and started the Iraq War on grounds of Weapons of Mass Destruction that were not found.
And leading to Iraq now being in a mess. Sunni-Iraq fighting, IS, ISL fighters all over the place. The poor, innocent Arabs suffering. And we can only do grinning.
I’m afraid we have to wait for another world war to change the situation. The very thing the UN was created for – no more world wars. If one occurs to morrow, the entire world might be wiped off. So, the next best thing is to shout at the George W Bushes and the Tony Blairs. I hope Malaysia will do that as and when relevant at Security Council meetings during our term as a member.
Mana tak moderate nya kita – depa yang nak join IS atau ISIS pun kita tangkap, yang balik pun kita lokap.
30 lebih yang lepas pergi, saya baca 14 yang mati. Kadang kadang saya fikir biarkan depa mati, pergi konon berjihad, tapi tak faham pun apa makna jihad.
Tapi bagus lah Kerajaan sedang mikirkan nak hubungi Syria dan Turkey mintak monitorkan warga kita yang pergi. Dan terutama nya yang balik. Kita perlu tangkap depa yang buat jenayah mengganas di luar negara. Supaya jangan mengganas di sini pula.
Bagus lah Malaysia dapat tempat di Security Council. Depa lebih hemah kat kita bila minta bantuan itu.
One of 20 in the Security Council and of nearly 200 in the UN. Last time became member of the Security Council during Tun Dr Mahathir’s PM’ship. Good. Now let’s do our bit.
I’m concerned about the South China and East China Seas. China has been menacing there in the past. Yet it’s a Permanent Member of the Security Council. It can literally simply impose its own air space or territorial waters.
Cannot? No, they can, they did. Remember last time regarding their claim on the islands that Japan claimed, the oil-laden area that Vietnam claimed and the islands the Phipippines claimed? US fighter aircraft flew over/ near the disputed island in East China Sea in a show of support of the Japanese claim. They put out flight paths telling other countries to follow when flying there. They even rammed a Vietnamese boat.
And they have shown their presence off Sabah and Sarawak in areas long established as belonging to Malaysia.
These are the challenges Malaysia faces as a member of the Security Council. What could we do when our interests are threatened? Protest and protest of course. Then leave it to the Big Five? And China has the Veto Power to anything planned by the rest. Any one has suggestions?
Well, Malaysia’s successful bid in.clinching a seat as a non permanent member in.the UNSC has nothing to do with moderation as megaphoned by Najib. Malaysia has a good track record in terms of its ability to appeal to majority of the UN General Assembly members to support its candidature to UN posts. Such is the success of Msia’s south south cooperation policy where Msia is held in.high esteem by developing countries in Africa , Asia and Latin America. This is the policy and endearment to Msia’s robust foreign policy that was put in place under Tun Mahathir.
Talk to diplomats, officials and peoples around the world about Msia. They remember Tun Mahathir. Not Pak Lah, not Najib. Face it because that is the reality.
Poor Najib
Always in need of a pat on his back. Perhaps he should expound his personal theories on why these incidents occurred under his watch:
Lahad Datu
Kalimah Allah
MH370
MH17
Chinese Tsunami
I am of the view that Minister Anifah is PM material. He probably do a better job than Najib’s ‘chosen one’. But then again we are just all too aware of politics that goes with this thing. Sight…
Interesting, that view, my friend. Wish you’d elaborate.
As far as I can see, he has been towing Najib’s line all along. I have not seen him make significant decisions that tell his character, his political excellence. Not in the China saber-rattling in the South and East China Seas some time back, for example. He notes Najib’s stand, being pally pally with China on many issues. In Johor, the Iskandar, Forest City and other projects will probably bring millions of Chinese, not only upsetting the population ratio but retrogessing – instead of progressing – the narrowing of the gap between the Malays and the Bumiputeras and the Chinese. The NEP that has been placed on the back burner, Tun Dr Mahathir said.
Yeah, yeah, bringing in foreign investments. But not the kind that involves technology transfer that we want. Heavy industries, high-tech industries. Building islands by dumping sand, constructing luxury houses, condos and apartments, our locals can do. We don’t really need that kind of large-scale investments in such a hurry.
And I’m afraid Najib is not one measure of excellence. There are contra views even in here, above, for example. And I agree with those contra-Najib views. Especially his rushing to developed nation status, no matter what. At the expense of the Malays and the Bumiputeras of Sabah and Sarawak who has, specifically written into the Constitution for reasons of history, a Special Position under Article 153.
Another aspect of Najib that I find very disappointing – wanting to do away with the Sedition Act. Now a few Ministers have expressed the view that the Act should be retained.
One Minister pointed out that 150 UMNO Divisions (at that time, later it was reported to be at least 170) out of a total 191, want or support retention of the Act. That includes UMNO Youth Chief Khairi Jamaludin who was reported blasting the Bar Council demo against the Sedition Act. And Najib should announce the retention of that Act at the coming UMNO General Assembly.
But praise for Anifah there should be. Irrespective of Malaysia’s past record during Tun Dr Mahathir’s time. The changing world political situation, alliances and alignment of the smaller countries towards the “Big Boys” meant a need for intensive lobbying to get the relevant number of votes from the nearly 200 UM members to get into the 20 member Security Council.
“….Not in the China saber-rattling in the South and East China Seas some time back, for example. He notes Najib’s stand, being pally pally with China on many issues….”
Sources that I trusted indicated that he did tried to stand up to the Chinese but his boss put him on a short leash.
“Most of our ministers won’t even think of engaging protesters. But Anifah Aman, the Foreign Minister, walked straight up to the protesters and had a chat with them, and not about the weather. Now, I’m sure we all can respect that.” – RockyBru
At least he addresses dissenting views unlike the one that indulges in elegant silence. Perhaps because he has no views himself, had to depend on conSULTANS.
Hahaha, you are not referring to Musa Hitam, the inventor of the term elegant silence, are you, ray.
This particular elegant silence is so because people say he wants developed nation status the day after to morrow. At the expense of the rights and the interests of the Malays that UMNO, the party he leads, have sworn to protect and promote when formed some 60 years ago.
Not only that, he wants to throw out the Sedition Act, that which protects the Malay rights and interests, too. Which will make it easier for blokes like DAP wanting to erode those rights and interests, like the Special Position which has been extended to the Bumiputeras of Sabah and Sarawak upon the formation of Malaysia.
Yes, Anifah is good. But being good, he’d tow the party line. However, there was the time when Tun Dol was eased out of the PMship not long ago. I’m hoping for a repeat of that. So that the elegant silence can continue to be elegant, but elsewhere other than in the UMNO President’s chair. I’m happy to know that at least 170 out of the total of 191 UMNO Divisions want the Sedition Act retained. But I will be satisfied when retention of the Sedition Act is announced. Hopefully at the coming PAU.
Since Anifah is a good diplomat and deserves the praise he got, may be he can diplomatically ask the PM not to rush to develop nation status at the expense of the Malay and Bumiputera interests and to retain the Sedition Act?
Right Haba
He really believes that the chinese STILL love him despite the chinese tsunami SLAP.
His justification was that the chinese were convinced of the existence of Bangla voters! So to counter this, the chinese were FORCED to vote DAP.
I mean, how LAME-BRAIN can anyone be? Imagine your self-worth is only on ‘I love PM’ banners? Or a chinese name ‘ahjibgor’?
I suspect the chinese are laughing behind his back, especially after that horrendous zebra shirt and the wifey hippo outfit.
I think it’s the legacy thingy. I agree with the opinion that he wants to be in history as the PM who got a developed nation status for Malaysia.
But I also agree that he might be recorded as the traitor to the Malays – not protecting and promoting the interests of the the Malays that UMNO was sworn to do when formed 60 years ago.
And I’m concerned that many have now expressed disappointment, even disgust, at UMNO and refusing or ceasing to support UMNO because of Najib.
And, while on the business of agreeing with others, I also agree with those who say that UMNO – the Supreme Council – should replace Najib, hopefully by the coming PAU.
Wasn’t there a Supreme Council meeting said to be held at PWTC several days ago, said to be a press conference at 5 pm, but the pc did not materialize. I must say the mind started wondering whether it was a serious top secret discussion of party problems like precipitated by the 170 UMNO Divisions going somewhat against Najib’s wishes on discarding the Sedition Act.
Re the replacing Najib matter, one of course has hopeful thinking that it was discussed at such a Supreme Council meeting, if one really took place.
To me, Anifah sounds a credible politician – many are not these days.
He is coherent, has clear thinking and expresses himself well. For that, I’ll credit Najib in his selection of the Foreign Minister.
Yes, being in the Security Council is an achievement. His challenge will be how to articulate effectively against the Big 5, considering his boss’ stand.
Delicate balancing act, not as a super power, but as a small nation trying to fit in our national interests amidst the polarizing interests of the 5. In the final analysis, it’s only two sides. The Americans, British and French have quite common interests, the Russian and the Chinese will band up together. And Vladimir Putin has visited Peking for talks when the Ukraine border issues hotted up recently.
Apart from MH17 which is not likely to reach the Security Council anyway, I don’t see much direct interests we have in the Security Council. We would therefore merely be an appendage to the major power interests. Stating views which will bring us support in matters that affect us directly but outside the Security Council walls, like when the Chinese become a menace in the south China Seas again.
What is frustrating is when one of the five Permanent Members use the veto power and say no to what the others want done. I don’t mind it regarding invading Iraq that stupid George W Bush wanted. And he and Tony Blair got a Coalition of the Willing to do it. Cilaka. Caused chaos and instability until now.
I am not sure what will happen if China kacau the South China Seas again, or nervous fighter pilots press the trigger on one or the other over the islands both Japan and China claim. Yesterday or so news report say China scrambled fighter jets, mobilized ground troops etc when an unauthorized unmanned vehicle for weather investigation was flown near Beijing. Imagine if that happen over disputed territories.