Make waging of war a crime, even if it takes 100 years - Dr Mahathir

In making this call, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said PGPF would continue to promote that war was not the solution of conflicts, even if it took 100 years to achieve it.

"I know this will take time and we have to be patient. We hope this movement against war and promoting it, will catch on but we realise it will take time like slavery, which took almost 200 years before it was abolished.

"Now, we have taken the first step against war. It may take 10, or 100 or even 200 years to achieve," said the former prime minister.

He said this in his keynote presentation and public lecture at the 4th Mahathir Global Peace School (MGPS) programme themed, 'Justice, Peace and Prosperity for Global Citizens’ at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here today.

MGPS, an initiative of PGPF is designed to enable students from diverse cultures and backgrounds to attain deep understanding of peace and security, which are central issues and determinants for the future of humanity.

Later, during the question-and-answer session, Dr Mahathir said ASEAN countries should sign an agreement to promote peace as solution to end conflicts and prevent war in the region.

Citing examples of Malaysia resolving its disputes with Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand through the court and negotiation, he said countries with conflicts should opt to resolve issues through arbitration and international courts, instead of waging war against one another.

In resolving those conflicts through the legal system, he noted there must be an agreement among the countries to agree or accept the decisions made by the court, no matter how the countries were affected by them.