Malaysia’s peaceful transition to independence in 1957 has instilled in it the conviction in conflict resolution through peaceful means. In this regard, Malaysia has and will continue to support and actively participate in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
In October 1960, Malaysia deployed its first contingent of 3,500 Malay Special Forces of the then Malayan Armed Forces to the United Nations Operation in Congo (ONUC). Since then, Malaysia has participated in over 30 peacekeeping operations with the deployment of 29,000 peacekeepers from the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysian Police. The deployment of Malaysia’s military and police personnel in various UN Peacekeeping Operations is a manifestation of Malaysia’s strong commitment to shared responsibilities towards the early and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
In addition to UNPKOs, Malaysia has participated in other UN-mandated missions namely the 3 UN-mandated NATO-led PKOs; which are, the Implementation Force (IFOR) and Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina; the International Force East Timor (INTERFET) and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF); and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao, the Philippines.
Currently, Malaysia is involved in UN Peacekeeping Operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), UN-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and Western Sahara (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara - MINURSO). Malaysia has also sent a medical team as part of NATO’s operations in Afghanistan.
In addition, Malaysia through the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) is committed to provide training and capacity building on multi-dimensional peacekeeping for international military, police and civilian personnel who will be embarking on UN peacekeeping missions in conflict areas around the world.
Established in 1996 in Port Dickson with the motto “Partnering for Peace”, the MPC aims to become the centre of excellence for peacekeeping training. The establishment of the MPC reflects the strong national commitment attached by Malaysia towards international peace and security. To date, MPC has conducted more than 90 series of courses for over 2,500 local and international participants from 52 countries.
Membership in the UNSC would provide an opportunity for Malaysia to contribute towards enhancing the UN’s efforts in peacekeeping, by sharing its experience and expertise gained through its participation in many UN peacekeeping operations as well as training of peacekeepers through the MPC.
A MALBATT (Malaysia Battalion) soldier helping a child in a village within ISAF operation area in Afghanistan, 2011 (Photo: MINDEF/ISAF)