Azmin: World must view Dr M’s speech seriously
PORT DICKSON: World leaders must view Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) seriously if the approach to resolve global issues are to change.
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said Dr Mahathir did not only speak on behalf of Malaysia, but the entire global community.
“I believe Malaysia is back on the international forum, via a crucial role. Although we are a small country, I believe that under the leadership of Dr Mahathir, the world will listen and take his views seriously and positively.
“We need leaders who have that courage and conviction to speak up in front of the big superpowers. And this is Dr Mahathir. He used the forum not just to speak on behalf of Malaysia, but also the entire community,” Azmin said at the Port Dickson by-election nomination centre here yesterday.
He expressed his pride to see Dr Mahathir take on the world in an international forum.
“As a Malaysian and a member of the cabinet, certainly we are so proud to see a prime minister of Malaysia, a small country, small economy, but he (Dr Mahathir) has the courage and conviction to speak at the UNGA to tell the world that we need to change the entire approach in dealing with world issues.
“So, for me, this is a form of stringency. He is vocal (in) conveying a strong message. So I believe that his message must be viewed positively. World leaders must take his views seriously and the UN must play a role.”
At the UNGA, Dr Mahathir called for UN to be reformed, the Palestinian state to be recognised and an end to the industrialisation of war.
Political analyst Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia said the view expressed by Dr Mahathir reflected the stand of the New Malaysia, which embraces democracy, anticorruption and a nation against any forms of global terrorism.
Unlike the previous UNGA, Dr Mahathir’s speech this year, focused on the New Malaysia rather than issues related to Asian values.
Azizuddin said the speech was brief, but laden with Malaysian views on issues involving terrorism, economic development and the environment.
He said despite Dr Mahathir’s criticism of the UN, he also recognised the efforts and role played by the international organisation.
“Dr Mahathir used the international forum to clearly emphasise the importance of democracy, freedom of speech and eradication of corruption by taking an example of what happened in Malaysia.
“He expressed his concern on Israel’s atrocities against Palestine and the fate of the Rohingya in Rakhine, Myanmar, which reflected Malaysia’s stand on the development in these countries.” He said Dr Mahathir also used the UNGA to refute allegations hurled at Malaysia that the country’s palm oil industry was hurting the environment.
“This allegation was dismissed based on the fact that 48 per cent of the land in the country is covered by virgin forest.
“What caught my attention was Dr Mahathir had reiterated the importance of upholding democracy and freedom of speech apart from environment conservation in the New Malaysia.”