[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 13 Sep 1999
Time: 21:23:33
Remote User: -
Malaysian PM blasts 'feudal' UN but commits to Timor force
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (AFP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday criticised the structure of the United Nations but agreed to participate in a UN-led peacekeeping force to East Timor. Mahathir accused western powers of dominating the UN, likening the world body to a "feudal" government where reforms are difficult to implement and dissenting voices are oppressed.
"It is ridiculous that this important world body is still tethered to the results of the World War fought over 50 years ago," the premier said when opening a four-day Commonwealth Law Conference.
"The victory of certain nations in that war seems to entitle them to hegemony over the United Nations and the world forever. The permanent five will not yield to anyone nor forego their veto rights. Anyone of them can frustrate the rest of the other 170-odd members," he said.
"When the government of a country is feudal, reform becomes difficult as the constitution would require consent of the feudal ruler, and feudal rulers are not likely to consent to their powers being diminished in any way. The situation in the United Nations is the same."
The Malaysian leader charged that the five permanent members of the UN security council "controls the affairs" of the UN and "prevents any dissenting voice from being heard."
The big powers sometimes "ignore international laws and practices ... bomb and attack countries at will," and support "state terrorism" in weaker countries which cannot "seek redress against oppressive measures taken against them."
While such "undemocratic power may sit well with China and Russia," Mahathir noted that the other three countries -- the United States, Britain and France -- "preach democracy ad nauseam."
"It does not become them to be blatantly feudal and undemocratic in the United Nations when they so vehemently insist that every country must be democratic," he added.
Later at a press conference, the premier said Malaysia has agreed to participate in a UN peacekeeping mission in East Timor.
"The secretary-general of the UN asked us whether we can constitute a force. We have already said yes. We are willing to serve," he said without elaborating.
Earlier, Mahathir told the conference that the world was still living in a "primitive society in which might is right," and where justice and fair play failed to exist.
He cited the "onrushing" trade globalisation, which will prevent small countries from seeking "shelter behind their borders from maurading industrial and commercial giants."
"Liberalisation and deregulation are being touted as the 'open sesame' to a new world economic order but from what we in East Asia have seen, this new order may very well result in our subjugation, first economically, then politically as well," he said.
"While we believe in democracy, in human rights and in the rule of law, all these would be meaningless if directly or indirectly we are colonised again."
The premier also touched on currency trading and hedge funds, which he has blamed for sparking Asia's economic turmoil, saying the free market prevented the traders from being regulated.
"Perceptions of right and wrong, fair and unfair have changed. Systems are regarded as more important than the results they produce," he said.
"The freedom of a few rich people to make huge sums of money through the free market is more important than the sufferings of millions of people, their countries and economies. Ideas about justice and fair play have now become distorted."
Individual rights must be defended but "nations too should be protected for many individuals make up the nation," he told some 1,500 participants, including 29 chief justices, 41 judges and five attorney-generals.