Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on Monday for banning the UN Security Council veto power in cases of mass atrocities until it can be abolished. Ibrahim made his statement at the Common Action Forum (CAF) 2024, saying the Council’s decision-making processes require broader support from both permanent and non-permanent members and be subject to ratification by the General Assembly through a simple majority.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Ibrahim emphasized that the Security Council has frequently become an “instrument of deadlock” rather than a “vehicle for action.” He further highlighted that the world stands at a critical juncture for global justice, pointing to Israel’s actions against Palestinians as a significant threat to the foundations of global order. Ibrahim called for bold, immediate steps, including an arms embargo on Israel.
At the UN Security Council debate in New York last September, Malaysia made a compelling case to limit the use of veto power, arguing that its u
nchecked use has obstructed peace efforts, especially in Palestine.