Malaysia continues to raise the voice of Palestinian people on the international stage

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

VIENTIANE, July 27 (Bernama) – Malaysia will continue to raise the voice of the Palestinian people on the international stage to put pressure on the Zionist regime of Israel to support ceasefire and end the oppression in Gaza, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said that the issue of the Zionist regime's atrocities has been raised in all meetings —19 ministerial meetings and nine bilateral meetings involving ASEAN dialogue partners — throughout the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (57th AMM) and Related Meetings.

“Malaysia is advocating for the Palestinian people by highlighting the atrocities they face, aiming to pressure the Zionist regime and Israel to end the violence and agree to a permanent ceasefire.

"We want the Palestinian people to be allowed to return to their homes, and the state of Palestine to be declared independent and permitted to join the United Nations," he said to the Malaysian media, here, on Saturday.

According to Mohamad, during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday, he has also brought the voice of the Palestinian people to the attention of the United States.

“Blinken endorsed what Malaysia has brought up, but the issue is how to make it successful," he stated.

Mohamad hopes that the US will play a role in ending the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians and support the ceasefire in Gaza.

Mohamad, who led the Malaysian delegation to the 57th AMM since Tuesday, has held meetings and bilateral discussions with counterparts from ASEAN dialogue partners, including Australia, China, Canada, the European Union, India, Norway, South Korea, Turkey, and the United States.

The minister said that the meeting with United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy revealed a significant shift in UK policy. Previously vocal in supporting the Zionist regime, the UK now wants to see an end to the Israeli atrocities.

Mohamad added that Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly also expressed a similar stance, indicating that Canada sympathises with the Palestinian people.

“The UK and Canada have also agreed to restore contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to assist the Palestinian people." 

On the final day of the 57th AMM and Related Meetings, Mohamad expressed his appreciation and support to Laos' leadership for successfully hosting the meetings, which has laid the groundwork for further cooperation and progress in building the ASEAN Community.

-- BERNAMA