AT the outset, Malaysia’s unequivocal support in promoting international peace and security as stipulated in the United Nations Charter, pursued by the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, is a most commendable foreign policy guidance for a small and developing nation. With this very concept, our commitment in most security issues has intensified consistently over the years and gained recognition at regional and international levels.
Malaysia’s role as a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in pursuing international peace and security has been significant, with a strong commitment from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) on many perspectives.
FIRST, three years after gaining independence, following the UNSC Resolution 143 (1960), the UN Force in the Congo (ONUC) was established to facilitate the withdrawal of Belgian troops, maintain law and order, and establish and legitimise the post-colonial government of Congo. Given our experience in implementing the concept of winning the hearts and minds of the people, in July 1960, the then Malayan Armed Forces, was selected to participate in ONUC, whereby a contingent of 1,947 military personnel known as the Malayan Special Force (MSF) was dispatched to operate in Congo.
Upon completion of its tour of duty in July 1963, UNSC was very impressed with MSF’s performance with the mandate achieved in Congo. In recognition of our credibility in promoting peace and security, on Jan 1, 1965, Malaysia was selected to serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. Thus, Malaysia is on record as the first state from Southeast Asia to serve at the policy decision-making level at the UN and this caused an upset in the Republic of Indonesia.
SECOND, although in the1970s to 1980s we were inactive in UN peacekeeping operations, Malay-sia’s international approach was guided by the basic objective of seeking friendship to secure mutually beneficial relations and a stable political security environment in the region, all of which are essential to the progress and prosperity of the country. Nevertheless, Malaysia remained firmly committed to promoting international peace and security.
In its selection as a non-permanent member in the UNSC seat 1989/1990, Malaysia received 143 votes out of 170 of the member states of the UN, which clearly indicated our strong record of international commitment around the world. The second tour as a member of the UNSC gave the impetus for MAF to participate actively in UN peacekeeping operations, irrespective of the weather or terrain in its deployment.
For example, MAF participated by sending infantry battalions and other military components in the United Nations Transition Assistance Group in Namibia, United Nations Transitional Administration in Cambodia, United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia Herzegovina, and the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNOSOM).
As a result, the UNSC gave the honour to Malaysia on Jan 18, 1994, when Lieutenant-General Aboo Samah Aboo Bakar, was selected as the first Malaysian force commander of UNOSOM II.
In the history of peacekeeping operations since 1948, Aboo Samah was also the first force commander from Southeast Asia.
Also, this was another successful contribution by MAF in peacekeeping operations after a lapse of nearly three decades of being inactive in international peace and security efforts.
THIRD, with Malaysia’s steadfastly participating in almost all peacekeeping missions conducted by the UN, our selection for the non-permanent seat in the UNSC for 1999/2000 was another victory. We received good support, with 174 votes out of 192 member states of the UN for the third term. This is an international endorsement of Malaysia’s concerted effort in facilitating the peace-building or post-conflict building of war-torn countries.
To further enhance our effort as a member of the UNSC, Malaysia pursued other aspects to play a meaningful role in the security issues on two fronts.
Malaysia was enlisted as a member of the UN Special Committee of the Peacekeeping Operations (C-34 Committee) for further improvement in terms of deployment and security peacekeepers.
In fact, C-34 was established by the General Assembly Resolution 2006 (XIX) on Feb 18, 1965, to conduct a comprehensive review of all issues related to peacekeeping operations. Furthermore, in terms of coordination and speed of deployment of Malaysian contingents, including military or police observers to UN mission areas, in accordance with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) procedures at the UN Headquarters, MAF boldly approved the appointment of a military adviser in the rank of colonel at the Malaysian Permanent Mission to the UN in New York in January 1996. Thus, Malaysia is not only the first Asean member to have a military adviser dedicated to peacekeeping duties at the Permanent Mission of Malaysia, but also joins the military community of 45 member states at the UN in New York with military advisers or police advisers.
Of significance, as a member of the UNSC, Malaysia introduced the concept of security and development for implementation in peacekeeping missions to lay the foundation for sustainable peace and development, thereby addressing the deep-rooted, structural causes of violent conflicts in a comprehensive manner. The UN accepted the concept and renamed it Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, adopted by the UNSC Resolution 1171 (1998) for implementation in peacekeeping missions.
Owing to our consistent commitment in UN missions, in particular the deployment of the Royal Military Police in May 2003, consisting of a self-sustained unit of 125 personnel to serve in the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), as part of the International Police Unit in support of the Timor-Leste National Police, another honour was given to Malaysia, when Lieutenant-General Khairuddin Mat Yusof was selected to become the force commander of UNMISET in June 2003.
FOURTH, in its selection as the UNSC non-permanent member for the fourth term in 2015/2016, Malaysia attained 187 votes from the 193 member states of the UN, with one abstention. This is a testimony of our good standing in the international community, especially in the area of global peace and security.
During this fourth term, two major commitments were pursued by Malaysia to further exert its influence in the international arena: one, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak agreed to provide an infantry battle group for the UN Standby Force for peacekeeping operations during the UN Peacekeeping Summit in New York on Oct 2, 2015; and two, as the president of UNSC, Malaysia focused on the open debate on new threats and challenges in preventing the proliferation of weapon of mass destruction, related materials and technologies of non-state actors in August. This was well debated among members of the UNSC, including the secretary-general of the UN.
Finally, in December, Malaysia’s final month as a member of the UNSC, it firmly nailed its commitment towards peaceful resolution of conflict, moderation, the protection of civilians and the rule of law. This unequivocal commitment was well demonstrated when 14 members of the UNSC, including Malaysia, with one abstention (the United States) adopted the UN Resolution demanding a halt to all Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory on Dec 23 in New York. This is, indeed, the first victory since 1979, when the US refrained from vetoing a resolution condemning its closest ally in the Middle East.
Equally important, Malaysia convened the Asean Conference on Dec 19 in Yangon on the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar to coordinate humanitarian aid and investigate alleged atrocities committed against them. In essence, this noble commitment is part of regional security and stability, with the fact that about 56,000 Rohingya now live in Muslim-majority Malaysia, having fled unrest in Myanmar.
Malaysia, in reality, seeks to contribute constructively in the maintenance of international peace and security globally. Hopefully, in the post non-membership of UNSC, Malaysia will be given more senior appointments like assistant secretary-general, including the appointment as military adviser at the DPKO, in recognition of its sterling service to the UN.
Email: ramlinik@gmail.com
Ramli H. Nik, is a former military adviser at the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the UN in New York, is a senior fellow at the Department of Strategic Studies, National Defence University of Malaysia.