Najib outlines Malaysia's five priorities as non-permanent UNSC member

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has outlined Malaysia's five priorities in its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

He said Malaysia aimed to advance moderation globally; advocate mediation as an approach to conflict resolution; promote UN peacekeeping operations; facilitate the peace-building process in strife-torn countries and pursue deliberations on the UNSC's comprehensive reformation.

Responding to Malaysia's success in securing a seat in the UNSC as a non-permanent member from Jan 1, 2015, to Dec 31, 2016, Najib expressed his appreciation for the endorsement from UN member states and described it as a nod for Malaysia's principle-based foreign policy.

Malaysia secured 187 votes from the 193 member states, in a secret ballot, in New York on Thursday. There was one abstention.

"To get 100 percent is difficult but this is already very good, an excellent achievement," he told Malaysian reporters covering the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) here on Thursday.

He further expressed his thanks to UN member states which had supported Malaysia's candidacy.

Malaysia held a UNSC non-permanent seat for the first time in 1965 and was again elected to the council in 1989/1990. It secured a seat for the third time in 1999/2000.

Leaders attending the ASEM, such as Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Malaysia on the win, said Najib, adding that the first to do so was Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Najib also expressed his appreciation to Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin and Wisma Putra officials for their role in garnering support for Malaysia.

Najib viewed the support from UN member states as an extension of their approval for Malaysia's principle-based foreign policy and moderation.

As a UNSC non-permanent member, Malaysia would play its role in determining the measures to be taken, such as in resolving conflicts consistent with international laws and its own principles, he said.

Meanwhile, Najib said Malaysia's policies and stand on certain issues, such as Palestinian rights, remained consistent.