STATEMENT BY
MS. SARAH RUHAMA
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 2021 SESSION OF
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND ON THE STRENGTHENING OF THE ROLE OF THE ORGANISATION
NEW YORK, 16 FEBRUARY 2021
Mr. Chair,
My delegation wishes to congratulate you as Chair of the Special Committee. I assure you and other bureau members of my delegation’s full confidence and support.
2. Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Mr. Chair,
3. Malaysia attaches great importance to the work of this Special Committee. We value its positive contributions in the deliberation regarding the question of the maintenance of international peace and security, and in promoting peaceful settlement of disputes. The proposals presented before this Special Committee, therefore, are important and merit due consideration. Since its establishment in 1975, the Special Committee has produced several useful documents, including the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. We are pleased to support the Philippines’ proposal to commemorate the 40th anniversary of this important Declaration.
Maintenance of International Peace and Security
4. The impact of the application of sanctions is a concern to all Member States, including Malaysia. In an era of globalisation and economic interdependence, sanctions hurt not only the people of the targeted State but also bring adverse socio-economic effects to third States.
5. We reiterate that sanctions, as a mechanism available to the Security Council, must not be viewed or utilised as an end in itself but rather as a tool to achieve a political objective, namely towards ensuring the maintenance of international peace and security. Sanctions should only be considered and applied when other means such as dialogue, consultations and negotiations have been exhausted or when there are imminent threats to international peace and security. When sanctions are deemed necessary, their applications must be consistent with the UN Charter and relevant principles of international law. Malaysia also reiterates its full support on the call by the international community, as prescribed in relevant UN resolutions, to end unilateral economic, commercial and financial embargo being imposed on targeted countries.
Peaceful Settlement of Disputes
6. Malaysia is committed to the pacific settlement of international disputes. We have demonstrated, time and again, our resolve by settling disputes peacefully with our neighbours through negotiation as well as through recourse to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Malaysia has demonstrated this commitment in spades in the cases of sovereignty over Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan, and sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge.
7. Resolving disputes peacefully means that even when we must lose, it will not be at the cost of our people’s lives. As such, Malaysia supports the topic “peaceful settlement of disputes between States” to remain on the agenda of the Special Committee. Malaysia also welcomes the thematic debate for this Session on “State practices regarding the use of arbitration”.
Mr. Chair,
8. Malaysia welcomes the progress made in compiling the Repertory of Practice of UN Organs and in updating the Repertoire of the Practice of the Security Council. We appreciate the work done by the Secretariat in eliminating the backlog and support these efforts that would assist Member States in understanding the application and practice of the UN and the Security Council.
9. We view the proposals awaiting our collective deliberation at this session as an affirmation of this Special Committee’s importance and responsibility. However, we are also concerned on the lack of progress in the consideration of several long-standing proposals. We hope that the proposals can soon be finalised through constructive and meaningful engagement by all Member States.
Thank you.
News From Mission