What should the role of the United Nation (UN) be ?

The name "United Nations", coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers. In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter. Those delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States at Dumbarton Oaks, United States in August-October 1944.The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year.

First of all, the role of united nation was to adopt means to develop friendly relations among the peoples of all nations so as to strengthen the ties of international brotherhood. This friendship among nations should be based on respect for the principle of the equal rights of and equal self-determination by peoples. With a good friendly relation among all nation they can maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations and they will be able to determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken. While respect for equal rights and the right to self-determination were common knowledge in international relations, those principles were regularly violated, while interference in internal affairs and destructions of sovereignty were “quite common”. 

(Suhana Dhawan,n.d) Purposes and Principles of the United Nations from http://www.shareyouressays.com/88806/purposes-and-principles-of-the-united-nations-essay accessed[4may2016]

By Ong Chee Way

According to Ghai (2015), United Nation has contributed greatly in the field of human right, decolonization, and disarmament. United Nations promotes respect for the law and protection of human rights in many other ways (Unicef, 2014). For instance, they monitor the human rights records of nations. Other than that, United Nations has an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which is subjected to promote and protect the enjoyment and full realisation by all people of human rights.

As we know, the creation of a body of international human rights law is one of the United Nations’ great achievements. It has helped negotiate numerous rights and declarations. In this case, many focused on the rights of vulnerable. Correspondingly, these declarations have helped create a ‘culture of human rights’ throughout the world because it actually providing a powerful tool to protect and promote all the rights in their country.

In addition, United Nations is also involves in volunteerism programme. It benefits for both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust among the citizens as well as creating opportunities for participation. This programme can be lead to the recognition of volunteers, integrate volunteerism into development programming and diversity of volunteers throughout the world(UN 2016). Besides that, United Nation (2016) also states that the needs and rights of persons with disabilities have been concern by United Nations as well. United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities as to respect for their human dignity. The rights are including, the same fundamental rights as their fellow-citizen, same civil and political rights as other human beings and measures designed to enable them to become as self-reliant as possible.

Moreover, under the United Nations Charter, Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In this case, all UN members agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. With this, it is for the Security Council to determine when and where a UN Peacekeeping operation should be deployed. The Security Council in New York plays a vital role in peacekeeping. Simultaneously, some of the UN members make recommendations to member states, the Council alone has the power to take decisions which Member States are responsible to implement.

1. Ghai K.K 2015, Your Article Library, ‘United Nations: Objectives and Roles of United Nations’, accessed at 4^th May 2016 < http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/uno/united-nations-objectives-and-roles-of-united-nations/40332/ >
2. Unicef 2014, Human rights treaties, updated at 19^th May 2014, accessed at 4^th May 2016 <http://www.unicef.org/crc/index_30198.html>
3. United Nations(UN) 2016, Global Issue, ‘Volunteerism’, accessed at 4^th May 2016 <http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/volunteerism/>

By Yeoh Hui Wen

According to the political activities of United Nations (For regional conflicts, see Section 1, Item 3 of this chapter), the United Nations Security Council submitted a resolution to implement in April the resolution to establish the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG). Besides, the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) called for material and personnel support from the members of countries. In November, a constitutional held an election under observation of the (UNTAG) in January 1989. Thus, Namibia became independent in March 1990 and joined the United Nations in April after independent was formed. For Central America, there were conflicts in making major progress toward a peaceful settlement about grateful to an active role that played by the United Nations. On the other hand, the election was held on February 25, 1990 and the Committee on International Assistance and Verification (CIAV), which was established by the United Nations and the Organization of-American States (OAS) in September 1989 in response to a request by Central American countries, and started the activity to ensure the dissolution and repatriation of the anti-government guerrillas "Contras." Furthermore, the United Nations Observation Mission for Central America (ONUCA) that established as a security verification mechanism at the U.N. Security Council in September 1989, disarmed the Contras under an agreement in May 1990 and is keeping watch on border areas. Thirdly, in the Middle East, became a major focus in the situation in the occupied territories at the U.N. General Assembly and Security Council. The 44th session of the General Assembly in 1989 passed, by a majority vote, an "intifada", which is known as uprising resolution denouncing Israel's policy on the occupied territories, refers to an action which attested to a high degree of concern among countries about this issue. In a related development, the Security Council resolved again, as it did in July and August of 1989, that Israel's expulsion of Palestinians from 'the occupied territories violated the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Regarding the emigration of the Jews from the Soviet Union which became a major issue in 1990, the U.N. Security Council held a session at the request of the Soviet Union between March through May 1990. Unfortunately, there was no resolution has been adopted. After the cease-fire in August 1988, the United Nations Secretary-General has hosted four Iran-Iraqi Foreign Ministers meetings in 1988 and 1989, but there was no significant progress has been made. During the peace negotiations, over which the United Nations Secretary-General presided, practically no debate took place on the issue at the General Assembly and Security Council. In February 1990, the Chairman of the Security Council issued a statement to support the peace efforts by the Secretary-General. Meanwhile, the 44th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, there was about 12 resolutions related to apartheid were submitted to a vote and were adopted by an overwhelming majority as they had been in the previous years. A resolution seeking comprehensive sanctions, which censured the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) by name, was adopted over Japan's and other countries' opposition. The General Assembly's special session on apartheid held in December 1989, adopted unanimously a declaration, which was both constructive and harmonious. In his address to this session, then Parliamentary Vice Minister Tanaka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated Japan's strong opposition to apartheid. He said Japan welcomed the policies of the de Klerk Government but would continue sanctions against the country so long as no substantial improvement was made. Lastly, the U.N. Secretary-General has been making mediation efforts since August 1988 regarding to a conflict between Morocco which claims territorial rights over the Western Sahara and the Polisario Front which demands secession from Morocco. In June 1990, on the basis of a peace proposal by the Secretary-General calling for direct talks for implementing a cease-fire and the holding of a U.N.-supervised referendum on the fate of the area, a meeting to ascertain the voters' register for the referendum was held. Also, a report was submitted to the U.N. Security Council seeking the establishment of the United Nations Observers for the Verification of Referendum on the Western Sahara (MINURSO) which would carry out the referendum, as well as an approval of a definite schedule of the peace process.

United Nation Activities, Section 4. Roles of the United Nations and Other International Organizations and Japan's Cooperation, viewed on 5th May 2016

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/1990/1990-2-4.htm

By Angel Yeoh Xin Yee

Meanwhile, the United Nations' role in world affairs is irreplaceable by any other international or regional organizations because nowadays the United Nations’ is the most representative inter-governmental organization of the world. In maintaining international peace and security, promoting cooperation among the states and the international development, the United Nations has made enormous positive contributions. Unfortunately, nowadays the two major issues of peace and developments, still faces by the people of the world. Only the international cooperation can mankind meet the challenges of the global and regional issues. In this regard, a pivotal and positive role can be played by the United Nations. Furthermore, by promoting the establishment of a just and reasonable international political and economic order goes along with the trend of history and in the interest of all nations will strengthen the role of the United Nations in the new century.

In the conclusion, in order to strengthen the role of the United Nations, the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations should be sustained by the efforts. The role of the United Nations in development area should be strengthened and must be preserved by the authority of the Security Council in maintaining international peace and security. Besides that, all the Member States of the United Nations is essential to ensure to the right of the equal participation in international affairs and the rights and interests of the developing countries should be safeguarded in order to strengthen the role of the United Nations.

The Role of the United Nations, UN Role and Reform. Viewed on 5th May 2016 

http://www.china-un.org/eng/zghlhg/zzhgg/t29436.htm

By Sim Eugene

The current tax system is unfair to the middle class and lower income group. Do you agree ?

Yes, the current tax system is unfair to the middle class group and the lower income group. One of the critical issues here is for the government to re-look at the unfair tax system of personal income tax and to restructure the whole tax revenue collection thus, that no single group is being penalized while government is finding ways to equilibrium the nation’s income and expenditure as a result of oil subsidy removal. The Malaysian population can be decided into three income group, high medium low. The middle income group in the worst to be hit by recent oil price hike, because they utilize their own personal vehicle as their main transportation. However, high income group will not be affected by inflation, because they possess a strong financial freedom. Besides, the low income group will be protected by government due to the fact that low income group generally utilize public transport. While Malaysia is at this time go through a lot of political turmoil, undermining and bickering, we expectation the government is still working hard to solve the critical economic issues confronted by the nation. While we acknowledged that some of these economic issues such as the acute inflation led by oil price hike is due to a global phenomenon, we still believe that there is a lot our government could do to help relieve our pain, particularly due to the fact that we are a net oil exporting country.

(Written by Ong Chee Way)

We argued that a tax like the Good and Services Tax (GST) has a more effect on lower and middle income earners, which mean that the tax consumes a higher proportion of their income, compared to those earning large incomes. In this case, it shows unfair to these particular income group earners. As we know, some products have no GST, if there is a selective consumption of goods and food, one may be able to avoid GST. In this case, some traders had transferred the additional cost due to GST to the customers and eventually the public faced the problem of inflation. And lastly, it will lead to the increasing of living costs and it was impossible to avoid GST as well.

Before the GST implemented, our taxation system collected taxes only from 25 % of the population while another 75 % of the citizens only paid for service charge. With the implementation of GST, none of a citizen can be escape from GST. Thus, the impact of GST on the low and middle income earners especially to those who had no financial ability and still depending on study loans such as PTPTN or family finance would affect the monthly expenses. Other than that, the some of the students pointed out that the hostel authority prevented them from using additional electrical appliances and cooking in the hostel. From this situation, we can see that high taxes can actually cause a burden for most of the citizens. Besides that, the cost of expenditure at the school canteen was high and it would further burden the students.

In addition, taxation has the high potential to decrease consumer spending. It is because, taxes take money away from consumers and reduce disposable income. How can a lower income consumer spending decrease just because of the high taxes proposed in the country? In our opinion, high taxes may affect economic growth. Not only that, the government sometimes institutes tax cuts during periods of economic hardship as to encourage spending and growth. Besides that, other than high income earner, there are many lower and middle income earners tend to migrate to other country for works due to the unaffordable high tax in Malaysia. Once they have migrated to other countries for works, for instance, Australia and London, the local country might also face with the problem of unemployment. Unemployment is a serious issues for a particular country as it may lead to inflation.

(Written by Yeoh Hui Wen)

Meanwhile, Income tax refers to the taxes which are Annual charge levied on both earned income like wages, salaries, commission and unearned income which are dividends, interest, rents. 

In addition to financing a government's operations, progressive income taxation is designed to distribute wealth more evenly in a population, and to serve as automatic fiscal stabilizer to cushion the effects of economic cycles. Its two basic types are ; - 

1. Personal income tax, levied on incomes of individuals, households, partnerships, and sole-proprietorships; and 
2. Corporation income tax, levied on profits which are refers to net earnings of incorporated firms.

However, presence of tax loopholes (whose number increases in direct proportion to the complexity of tax code) may allow some wealthy persons to escape higher taxes without violating the letter of the tax laws.

All levels of the citizens, which are poor and lower middle-class citizens often pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than do the wealthy. Most of the poor citizens could not afford the current income tax system due to they could not afford their monthly expenses as well. For the group of middle-class citizens, they are able to pay for the current income tax, but compare to the groups of higher income citizens, this is unfair to the groups of middle-class and poor citizens due to three groups of the citizens are paying the same rate of the income tax to government. Once Social Security tax, which is the employer's part really comes out of the paycheck of the worker and state and local sales and income taxes plus assorted fees are considered, even lower middle-class workers are paying a startling percentage of their incomes to government.

Most of the people think that if they earned it then they should be able to keep their money as their future savings. Thus, nobody is willing to pay for the current tax system. 

(Written by Angel Yeoh Xin Yee)

In the conclusion, the current tax system in our country, which include Good and Services Tax (GST) and Income Tax is unfair to the middle class and lower income group. Although paying tax to the country is our responsibility and it will improved the economics of the country, but it had been bring a lot of the disadvantages to the people who are from the group of middle class and lower income.Meanwhile, the current tax system will increase the burden the people from the group of middle class and lower income and will cause the money which they earn every month not enough to cover their daily expenses. Although our country the minimum income tax rate was reduce 1% because of Goods and Services Tax (GST), but for the people of middle class and lower income group they want the government reduce another 1% because of currently the income tax rate still a bit high and quite a numbers of people cannot afford to pay for it. 

In our opinion, the government should make a survey or research for the current tax system before the tax system was start running in our country especially is GST because when GST was started in Malaysia since 1st of April 2015 till now, the inflation rate is keep increasing and causes a lot of people no matter is the buyer or seller feel very exhausted due to we need to pay higher price for the goods or services compare with the past without GST. Secondly, the government also should always listen to what the people of country said and take very serious on what they say and the government should increase the tax rate on the people who are high income group and decrease the rate on middle class and lower income group. Lastly, the most important is the government should use the money which we pay for the tax on develop our country well and the government should against the issue which very serious in our country, which is corruption. A country without corruption, that country will be very innovative and the people stay in that country which no corruption, will feel grateful and peaceful because of the government take serious on corruption and against it. 

(Written by Sim Eugene)