Malaysia urges action on Palestine, challenges UN veto at General Assembly

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan on Saturday renewed calls for action against Israel over Palestine, while challenging the UN Security Council veto that he said has repeatedly frustrated the will of the wider UN membership.

Addressing the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Mohamad said Malaysia has pushed for “punitive actions towards Israel” and advocated full UN membership for Palestine.

“And yet, again and again, the collective will of this assembly has encountered the silencing effect of the veto,” he said.

Mohamad said nowhere is the need for UN reform “more critical” or the organization’s shortcomings “more glaring” than in the Security Council.

“The exercise of veto must be questioned and strongly challenged by every single member of this General Assembly, particularly in cases of crimes against humanity,” he said.

“The paralysis of the Security Council will not be the paralysis of the United Nations.”

AI, long reach of Mideast conflict

Turning to artificial intelligence, Mohamad warned against allowing a handful of countries or corporations to determine global rules.

“Technology must serve humanity, never the reverse,” he said, calling for greater participation by developing countries in AI governance.

“The Global South cannot simply become a destination for data centers while decisions about AI are made elsewhere,” he added. “We must be partners in innovation, not merely customers and markets.”

Mohamad also warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East threatens critical energy and trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.

“A family in Southeast Asia has no part in this dispute, yet that family still pays the price when food, fuel and cost of living rise,” he said.

Malaysia urged all sides to step back from escalation and pursue diplomacy, he added.

Malaysia has previously called for dialogue and the protection of freedom of navigation through Hormuz.