Addressing the United Nations general assembly in New York yesterday, Mohamad said the veto power of the Security Council’s five big powers had been abused to enable mass atrocities.
“Our failure to establish a ceasefire is no longer justifiable. We have run out of excuses,” said Mohamad, who is known as Tok Mat. “It is time to address the problem. The veto should not be exercised at will. There must be exceptions in cases of crimes against humanity and attacks on civilian infrastructure.”
Veto power over resolutions of the Security Council is held by the five permanent members (Britain, China, France, Russia and the US). There are 10 other members on two-year terms.
Mohamad said the UN stood at a critical juncture following the failure of world leaders to end the killing of Palestinians.
Malaysia and other nations had repeatedly protested against Israel’s actions in the Middle East and sought an immediate ceasefire, only to be shot down through the veto, he said.
“We must commit ourselves towards a reformed UN. Justice begins with ending impunity and ensuring accountability. Understand this: our willingness to reform is a matter of life and death for countless innocent people,” he said during the general debate at the assembly.
Mohamad also called for the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid to be reinstituted and for the Security Council to invoke its powers to impose an immediate arms embargo on Israel, describing it as among rogue nations “who have proven, a hundred times over, their willingness to commit crimes against humanity”.
He said the Gaza question is a direct test of the capability of the UN, and called for an end to Israeli occupation and for Israel to comply with the decision of the International Court of Justice.
In July, the courl declared Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territory as illegal and said it must end as soon as possible.
The advisory opinion, while non-binding, highlights growing concerns over Israel’s conflict with Hamas and its policies, including settlement construction and territorial annexation.