Palestine: Malaysia Supports Hague Group's Efforts, But Uneasy With Preconditions - Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia supports The Hague Group’s efforts to find a long-term resolution to the conflict in Gaza, but takes a cautious stance on the preconditions and content of the New York Declaration being debated at the international level, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia supports initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace for the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent state. However, he stressed that the country will not support any initiative that contradicts its foreign policy principles.

"Malaysia is cautious in this effort (New York Declaration) because there are preconditions that we are uncomfortable with, making it difficult for us to endorse the outcome document issued by those countries.

“We agree with the main goal – the urgent establishment of an independent Palestinian state – but we are uneasy with the preconditions set, as many of them are not in line with Malaysia’s foreign policy,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) on the steps Malaysia is taking to urge the international community, particularly the United Nations (UN), to stop the ongoing attacks by the Zionist regime on Gaza.

The Hague Group is a coalition of countries committed to championing justice and the rights of the Palestinian people at international platforms, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Mohamad said Malaysia is a co-sponsor of the group and had participated in a meeting in the second week of last month in Bogotá, Colombia, which served as a platform to discuss the Palestinian issue and seek an urgent resolution.

He said Malaysia remains committed to voicing its position alongside like-minded countries in urging for a permanent ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza, which is facing a famine due to prolonged Zionist blockades.

He said the Zionist regime is now using food supply restrictions as a weapon of war, a move he described as extremely cruel.

“… their food supply has been cut off at the borders of Jordan and Egypt, not a single lorry is allowed through. For four and a half months, the Palestinian people have been starving and many have died. Israel is using food as a weapon of war — this has been condemned by the international community, Malaysia and like-minded countries,” he said.

Mohamad also stressed that Malaysia will continue to press for and express unwavering support for Palestinian freedom and the establishment of an independent state, despite discomfort from certain quarters.

He said Malaysia’s efforts are supported by like-minded countries to ensure that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state becomes a reality and that Palestinians are given the right to govern their own country.

“Malaysia will not stop. We will continue to speak out, even if many are uncomfortable with Malaysia’s position now. Malaysia will continue to raise its voice and bring its stance to the international stage,” he said.

-- BERNAMA