Politics · Malaysia Bureau
International law must apply equally to all states, says Tok Mat
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister has stressed that international law cannot be selectively applied, warning that no nation should be exempt from a rules-based global order.
LSN Malaysia ·
NEW YORK — International law must be upheld consistently and cannot function as an 'optional menu' where regulations apply only when convenient, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Tok Mat, as he is commonly known, emphasised during remarks in New York that the principle of a rules-based international order loses its effectiveness when any state is permitted to operate outside established legal frameworks.
His statement underscores Malaysia's position that global governance structures must maintain integrity through uniform application of international conventions and agreements. The deputy prime minister stressed that selective compliance undermines the stability and credibility of the international system that all nations depend upon.
The remarks come amid growing tensions over adherence to international law in the Asia-Pacific region, where several disputes have raised questions about the consistency with which established rules are enforced globally.
Malaysia has consistently advocated for strengthening multilateral institutions and ensuring that all signatories to international agreements honour their commitments equally, positioning itself as a voice for smaller nations seeking protection under international law.