Malaysia ‘sick of’ veto blocking Gaza action, reiterates call for its abolition

Malaysia has expressed its frustration with the United Nations Security Council's veto power, which has repeatedly obstructed efforts to address the Gaza crisis. Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan stated that Malaysia and other member states have tried every possible avenue to bring justice to Gaza, including advocating for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid, punitive measures against Israel, and full membership for Palestinians in the UN.

However, the council's veto has consistently stifled these efforts, leading Malaysia to declare it "sick of the veto."

Mohamad emphasized that the Security Council's failure to act is particularly egregious in cases involving crimes against humanity. He pointed to General Assembly Resolution 76/262, adopted in 2022, as a start towards holding the Security Council accountable for its veto practices. Malaysia supports expanding both permanent and non-permanent Security Council membership to make the body more representative, but stresses that the veto must be challenged and eventually abolished.

Mohamad highlighted that the US, in particular, has repeatedly used its veto to block ceasefire resolutions in Gaza, despite the support of 14 other council members. The latest instances of US vetoes occurred in June and September 2025. In his closing remarks, Mohamad called for the UN to reform its institutions to better reflect current realities and ensure equal application of rules across all nations.

He reiterated Malaysia's commitment to multilateralism, even when imperfect, as the alternative would be a world governed solely by power. Malaysia remains committed to the UN, but insists that the institution must undergo meaningful reform.