How did Malaysia lose bid for seat in UN council, asks DAP man

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PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Liew Chin Tong wants an explanation for how Malaysia lost its bid for a seat on the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.

Saying it was “shocking” that Malaysia had failed in its diplomatic efforts, Liew, who is Kluang MP, said Parliament deserved to know what had happened.

“I will be submitting a parliamentary question for Minister’s Question Time on Oct 24 to give Foreign Minister Anifah Aman the first available opportunity to explain why Malaysia failed in its bid to be elected to the UN Human Rights Council.

“Anifah should also disclose in Parliament how much it cost Malaysia to lobby and campaign for the position,” Liew said in a statement today.

Malaysia was the only country among 16 applicants to miss out on a seat at the UN Human Rights Council for the 2018-2020 term.

Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan and Qatar were appointed to the council for Asia Pacific, with Qatar being re-elected for a second consecutive term.

Nepal topped the Asia-Pacific group with 165 votes, followed by Qatar (155), Pakistan (151), Afghanistan (130) and Malaysia (129).

The other countries appointed to the council were Angola, Australia, Chile, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine.

Election was conducted by secret ballot at the general assembly.

Malaysia was last elected to the council in the 2010-2013 term.

It had previously been elected for the 2006-2009 term.