Malaysia eyes non-permanent seat on UN Security Council

Malaysia will vie for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in order to play a prominent role in regional peace and international security through Kuala Lumpur's policy of moderation as reflected in the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) concept pushed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

As an independent nation, Malaysia will continue to advocate the agenda for global peace and prosperity through moderation, thus diminishing the influence of extremists to cause damage to international peace, cultural understanding, and inter-faith harmony.

These are contained in the Barisan National (BN) manifesto themed 'A Promise of Hope' unveiled by Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight, ahead of the upcoming 13th general election. Najib had announced the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat on April 3.

Featuring a list of commitments if BN is accorded another five-year mandate, the manifesto said the coalition will also fight for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

In addition, the BN intends to spearhead humanitarian outreach programmes in conflict areas like Gaza, the West Bank, southern Thailand, Mindanao and elsewhere.

The manifesto also contained BN's commitment to formulate a foreign policy which supports Malaysia's strategic political, economic and security interests, as well as enhance the country's economic and bilateral interests with major trading partners and emerging economies.

There is also the pledge that Malaysia will support the realisation of Asean as an economic community by 2015 and take the lead in fighting transnational crimes such as human and drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, the manifesto mentioned that the GMM had received endorsement from the AsiaEurope Meeting (ASEM), the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and Asean.

It also alluded to the Malaysia-brokered framework agreement inked between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Oct 15 last year, to end a four-decade conflict in the southern Philippines -- a testament to the force of moderation over extremism.

The document further stated that BN-ruled Malaysia had assisted the Thai government in stabilising security and improving socio-economic development through bilateral cooperation in southern parts of the neighbouring country.

Another feather in the BN's cap is the setting up of the first overseas branch campus of China's Xiamen University and the launch of the Malaysia-China Kuantan industrial Park, further cementing ties between the two countries.

Malaysia also notched another achievement with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with India, involving total trade of US$15 billion (RM45.9 billion) in efforts to boost trade and investments with the South Asian giant.