Britain Optimistic Malaysia Will Secure UNSC Non-Permanent Seat

David Jones (left) talking to Tan Sri Arshad Ayub KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is the leading candidate from the region to secure a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat, said British High Commisioner to Malaysia, Simon Featherstone.

He said Britain was looking forward to work closely with Malaysia in that important role.

"2015 is going to be a very important year for Malaysia...not just its aspiration to join the security council but also chairing ASEAN.

"My understanding is that it will secure a seat in the security council", he told reporters after a courtesy call from the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones to the International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW) in the capital, Tuesday.

Also present were IUMW president Prof Dr Hamzah Abdul Rahman and Universiti Malaya board of directors chairman Tan Sri Arshad Ayub.

Malaysia's candidature to the UNSC has received the endorsement of the Asia-Pacific Group Member States during its monthly meeting in New York last month.

Malaysia has served on the Security Council thrice, with the first being in 1965 (shared the 1964-1965 term with Czechoslovakia serving in 1964 and Malaysia in 1965), in 1989-1990 and 1999-2000.

Featherstone commended Malaysia in its role as a facilitator to the peace process between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine Government.

Asked if Malaysia's efforts should be emulated by others, he said it was a great hope for all countries to help in resolving conflicts in the region.

"We congratulate both sides (Philippine Government and MILF) in reaching this historical agreement...and especially, to Malaysia for playing such a key role as facilitator.

"There are numbers of unresolved conflicts in the region and we very much hope that this example (of Malaysia) will be followed, in terms of a peaceful resolution of other problems", he said.

It was reported that the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) would be signed between the Philippine Government and MILF, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to witness the signing of a peace deal, brokered by Kuala Lumpur, in Manila some time this year.

As facilitator of the peace process, Malaysia has hosted 43 rounds of talks since 2001.

Last month, the Philippine Government and MILF signed the last annex of the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro in Kuala Lumpur, with the hope of bringing peace and prosperity to Mindanao. They also signed the Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters.

On a different note, Hamzah said IUMW was expected to receive 1,000 students this year, as compared to 150 students currently with various courses offered, including Bachelor of Professional Communication and Bachelor of Business Administration.

He said the partnership between IUMW and University of Wales would offer opportunities for students in both Malaysia and Wales for international exchange programmes.

--BERNAMA