M'sia Open To Discuss Palestinian Issue With All Parties Despite Firm Stance - Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia remains open to discussing the Palestinian issue with all parties, despite the country’s firm stance on the matter being different from that of Western countries like the United States, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia's inclusive approach had been well-received by Western nations, thereby strengthening bilateral relations with these countries.

For example, he said during the 'Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza' conference in Jordan on June 11, he had met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken who expressed the United States' support for ASEAN centrality.

"Blinken also expressed appreciation for Malaysia's support for Resolution 2735 (2024) proposed by the United States.

"The resolution is based on a three-phase proposal announced by the U.S. President, which includes an immediate, permanent, and effective ceasefire; the release of hostages from both sides; and efforts towards a permanent end to hostilities and a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Palestine," he said in a written reply in the Dewan Negara, published on the Parliament website today.

Mohamad was responding to Senator Datuk Noraini Idris, who inquired about how Malaysia functioned as a credible 'peace mediator in global conflicts' that maintains humanitarian principles against oppression without compromising trade and diplomatic relations with Western countries that have high capabilities in economic and military technology.

Mohamad stated that Malaysia's inclusive approach had enhanced bilateral relations with Western countries, evidenced by increased high-level meetings and visits, thereby strengthening political and economic cooperation between Malaysia and these nations.

Additionally, Mohamad among the platforms Malaysia leveraged as a global peace mediator was the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR).

He noted that the institute acted as a peace agent in global conflicts by conducting comprehensive research on peace and conflict resolution, building capacity through training programmes, facilitating dialogue, mediation, and conciliation among conflicting parties, and raising public awareness about the importance of peace.

"Malaysia will continue to utilise this platform through Malaysia's representatives on the Advisory Board and the Governing Council of ASEAN-IPR to voice Malaysia's stance in all discussions related to reconciliation and conflict prevention," he said.

Therefore, he hoped that through these efforts, Malaysia could contribute to regional stability and strengthen global peace-building initiatives.

-- BERNAMA