29/09/2025

MONDAY | SEPT 29, 2025

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‘Asean disappointed by ceasefire violation in Myanmar’ NEW YORK: Asean must press on with efforts to restore credibility to the Five-Point Consensus while safeguarding security and stability in Myanmar, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said Asean is deeply disappointed that the ceasefire agreed to in Myanmar had been violated in some areas, with violence continuing to endanger civilians. “Those in power must remember that Myanmar is part of a region, not an isolated country. “There is a bright and safe future for all our peoples if we work together in good faith towards a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led resolution to the crisis,” he said at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. He added that Asean would continue to play a pivotal role as a regional bloc in promoting peace, strengthening security, building economic resilience and advancing sustainability goals. Mohamad said as Asean chair in 2025, Malaysia has seen first-hand the colossal efforts required to sustain peace. “When conflicts threatened to spiral between our neighbours, Asean did not stand idle. We stepped in, convened both sides in Malaysia and implemented a ceasefire – one that Asean is now ensuring takes root through active monitoring on the ground.”– Bernama Earlier, the Selangor Royal Office announced on its Facebook page that Esah, 82, had passed away at 5.15am at a hospital in Damansara due to old age. – Bernama Mother of Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor laid to rest SHAH ALAM: Esah Tahar, the mother of the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, was laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum here at about 2.45pm yesterday. The funeral prayers were performed at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, led by its Grand Imam Muhammad Farhan Wijaya, following Zohor prayers. Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah performed the funeral prayers and witnessed the burial, which was also attended by Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin’s family members. Present were Rural Development, Unity and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rizam Ismail, State Islamic Affairs and Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah and Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi. Selangor Mufti Datuk Dr Anhar Opir, Selangor Islamic Religious Council chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin, Selangor Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad and Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar were also present. The royal couple poured rose water over the grave following the completion of the talqin (reminder) led by Muhammad Farhan.

SEA OF COLOUR ... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim watching the zapin being performed by 3,000 dancers at the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 in Klebang, Malacca on Saturday. – BERNAMAPIC

Abolish use of veto in UN Security Council: Minister o ‘Repeated abuse of special power has paralysed world body and derailed global peace efforts’

Sydney, from Montreal to Kuala Lumpur, people have spoken in grief and outrage. “More and more are standing up for the truth that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The eyes of the world are upon us. We must act now. Sanction Israel.” He also criticised Israel’s recent strike in Doha, describing it as not merely an attack on Hamas representatives but “an assault on another state’s soil and an insult to all mediation efforts”. Mohamad said unchecked Israeli aggression threatens to destabilise not only the Middle East but also the wider world. “The atrocities may have begun with Palestine but they will not end with Palestine. As the Middle East grows ever more dangerous, we will all feel the reverberations.” Malaysia also reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian people, pledging to back the New York Declaration and other international initiatives. However, Mohamad said statements alone were not enough. “There are only three real answers to this conflict. Firstly, take concrete action against the occupying force. Secondly, lend long-term support to the development of a self-governing Palestinian state and thirdly, reform the UN to ensure that such a travesty of justice never happens again.”

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

inclusive body in the organisation. “First, we must limit if not abolish the veto and challenge it every time it is wielded, particularly in cases of crimes against humanity. “Second, authority must flow back to the General Assembly. “Third, we must redesign global financing mechanisms to ensure transparency and fairness for the Global South.” He added that without reform, the international community would lose faith in the UN, particularly over its decades-long failure to resolve the Palestinian issue. Mohamad condemned what he described as genocide in Gaza by Israel, accusing powerful nations of shielding it from accountability while atrocities continue. “In Gaza, the clock is ticking, bombs are falling and the light is fading. We have failed at least 70,000 people.” He said Israel could no longer hide behind claims of victimhood, citing mounting global protests and condemnation. “From London to Dhaka, from Paris to

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has called on the United Nations (UN) to abolish or restrict the use of the veto in the Security Council, warning that the organisation’s credibility is on the line as conflicts rage, particularly in Palestine. Speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said repeated abuse of the veto had paralysed the UN and derailed global peace efforts. “Repeated failures of the Security Council to fulfil the will of the General Assembly must be met with strong resistance. “No more shall we quietly accept the dismissal of our collective voice. We must question and challenge the veto. We must free the Security Council from this humiliating paralysis.” Mohamad said urgent reforms are critical if the UN is to stay relevant, including restoring authority to the General Assembly as the most

Empower General Assembly instead of restructuring UNSC, says analyst PETALING JAYA: Reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is almost impossible without the consent of its five permanent members who wield veto powers, making it more realistic to strengthen the authority of the UN General Assembly (Unga), said geopolitical analyst Dr Azmi Hassan. France routinely blocking resolutions that clash with their interests. “The problem with restructuring the Security Council is that it requires agreement from the very same five nations that hold veto powers. add little weight since they cannot override vetoes, creating an imbalance that undermines the credibility of the council. He said instead of pursuing an “unrealistic” reform of the UNSC, the General Assembly, which represents all 193 member states equally, should be empowered. “Unlike the UNSC, the General Assembly has no veto powers, meaning every nation has an equal voice.” Azmi added that empowering the Unga would restore credibility by ensuring that decisions reflect the collective will of nations.

“This is almost impossible. As a result, the UNSC has failed repeatedly to act effectively on urgent matters such as Palestine and Ukraine,” he told theSun . Azmi said the 10 rotating non-permanent seats

He was commenting on Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s address at the Unga, in which Malaysia called for the abolition or restriction of the Security Council veto. – By Harith Kamal

“If Unga resolutions are granted binding power similar to those of the Security Council, the UN could function more effectively.

He said the Gaza conflict and other crises have exposed paralysis within the UNSC, with the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and