Malaysia's Experience In Moderating Conflicts Can Lead To Stronger UNSC - Envoys

By Nabilah Saleh, Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz and Tengku Faezah Tengku Yusof KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Foreign envoys based in Malaysia feel that Malaysia's concept of moderation and experience in moderating conflicts could lead to a stronger United Nations Security council (UNSC). They are closely watching Malaysia's efforts to promote moderation and offer alternatives to end conflicts. The Spanish ambassador to Malaysia, Carlos Dominguez Diaz in supporting the moderation concept, strongly believes that conflicts can be resolved through dialogues and cooperation among all UNSC member states. "With Malaysia's participation and its centre of approach, a stronger and more united UNSC could emerge to remove the negative elements in addressing world issues including poverty, hunger and human rights violations," he told Bernama in a recent interview. Diaz also hoped that Spain's ties with Malaysia would continue to flourish, saying that Spain intended to work closely with other UNSC members and interested partners and stakeholders during its term on the council. Spain was elected together with Malaysia, Angola, New Zealand and Venezuela to serve as non-permanent members on the UNSC in October last year for a two-year term from Jan 1. Venezuelan envoy to Malaysia, Manuel Guzman also voiced his country's support for Malaysia's moderation concept mooted by Prime Minister Najib Razak. "We are attentively watching all the efforts made by Malaysia to promote moderation and generate alternatives to extremism that obstructs peace, and the concerted solutions to existing conflicts in the world," he said. Guzman said as a member of the UNSC, Malaysia could play its part in defending the sovereignty of people and in denouncing or constraining colonialist and imperialist interventions by the great powers. He said Venezuela highly valued Malaysia's achievement in winning the Security Council seat and receiving a high number of votes, and together both countries could work for reforms in the UNSC. Ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union (EU) to Malaysia, Luc Vandebon said Malaysia could act as a constructive member of the international community due to its experience as a moderator in the disputes in southern Philippines and southern Thailand. "The EU does hope that Malaysia as a newly elected member of the UNSC, will also put real emphasis on the protection and promotion of human rights of all people without distinction and discrimination of any kind, and will support the work of the various United Nations (UN) actors and mechanisms, such as the UN Special Procedures," he said. He noted that Malaysia had been actively promoting the concept of moderation which aimed to advance moderation globally, saying that such specific approach could be considered as a good key role in promoting international peace and security to the world. "The principle of moderation is inherent in all democratic societies as democracy entails mutual respect, as well as solving difficulties through peaceful means and dialogue. "On that note, we welcome the approach mooted by PM Najib as it is in line with EU's values and stance on the international stage. "However, it is important to note that Malaysia should also demonstrate seriousness in applying the principle of moderation domestically in order for its example to be convincing and to serve as an inspiration for other nations," he said. Malaysia won the non-permanent seat in the UNSC, taking 187 out of the total 192 votes at the UN General Assembly, in filling one of the five vacancies in the Security Council's non-permanent membership. -- BERNAMA