UN must move from reaction to prevention, especially in Gaza - Tok Mat

UN Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has called for the United Nations to shift its focus from reacting to crises to actively preventing them, with a particular emphasis on the situation in Gaza. Speaking at the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, the Malaysian Foreign Minister emphasized that the UN should not simply respond to disasters by counting the dead, delivering supplies, and rebuilding what has been destroyed, only to prepare for the next crisis. He stressed that this reactive approach cannot be the future of multilateralism.

Mohamad argued that nowhere was the need for prevention more urgent than in Gaza. He stated that Malaysia and numerous other member states had exhausted every effort to achieve justice for Gaza, including consistently calling for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted supply of aid. The country has supported humanitarian work in Palestine and advocated for full Palestinian membership in the UN, he said.

However, Mohamad acknowledged that the collective will of the General Assembly has repeatedly faced the silencing effect of the veto. He expressed Malaysia's frustration, saying they are "sick of it." Despite this, he affirmed that Malaysia would continue to support efforts to strengthen the multilateral system and ensure its effectiveness in responding to conflicts and humanitarian crises.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 174,000 injured since October 2023. The foreign minister's visit to New York from September 23 to 27 coincides with Malaysia's participation in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.