Asian Parliaments Should Establish Operational Mechanism In Supporting Palestine - Syed Ibrahim

From Muhammad Adil Muzaffar Mohd Fisol

BRUSSELS, April 23 (Bernama) -- A standing operational mechanism among Asian parliaments should be established to enable faster, coordinated and sustained action in support of the Palestinian cause, said Malaysian Parliamentary Caucus on Palestine chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.

He said while support for the Palestinian cause across Asia remained strong, the lack of coordination continued to hinder effective collective responses, particularly during crises.

Speaking at the inaugural Global Sumud Parliamentary Congress here on Wednesday, Syed Ibrahim, who is also the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, stressed that existing efforts such as resolutions, bilateral visits and symbolic actions, though important, were insufficient without structured mechanisms to sustain pressure.

“These are important, but insufficient. Therefore, we must have a standing operational mechanism that allows Asian parliamentarians to coordinate positions quickly, respond collectively to crises and sustain pressure beyond headlines,” he said as a panellist at the congress.

As such, he outlined three pathways to strengthen cooperation among the Asian parliamentarians, beginning with an institutional approach anchored in existing platforms such as ASEAN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Parliamentary Union and the Non-Aligned Movement network.

“Cross-regional parliamentary alliances in Asia should not be built from zero. We anchor them in platforms we already sit in,” he said, while proposing a dedicated Asia-Pacific caucus on Palestine with rotating leadership and synchronised parliamentary motions.

Syed Ibrahim also proposed a “coalition of the willing”, a smaller bloc of like-minded parliaments which able to act swiftly without waiting for full consensus.

“We cannot wait for full multilateral consensus because the people of Gaza do not have that kind of time. This voluntary bloc can move quickly, speak in one voice and set the pace for the rest of Asia,” he said.

In addition, he highlighted the need to pivot to a function-first approach, urging alliances to be built around concrete missions such as humanitarian maritime corridors to Gaza.

“Any humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza must ultimately pass through or be resupplied from Indo-Pacific waters. That geographic effect makes Asia-Pacific parliamentarians operational stakeholders, not symbolic participants,” he said.

Syed Ibrahim also highlighted Malaysia’s position on Palestine, which has remained firm and consistent across successive administrations, reflecting a longstanding national consensus rooted in justice and humanitarian principles.

“Seven decades of Malaysian leadership have spoken with one cohesive voice,” he said, noting that the stance dates back to the country’s founding leadership and continues to the present day.

He added that Malaysia’s backing for Palestine transcends political divides, with participation from both government and opposition lawmakers, as well as civil society groups, reflecting a unified national commitment.

“This is not about one government or one side of the political divide. It is a shared Malaysian position that we have practised for decades,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Sani Araby welcomed the proposals put forward by Syed Ibrahim, describing them as timely and necessary to strengthen international intervention in support of Palestine.

He said the emphasis on operational mechanisms and faster coordination reflected the realities on the ground, where humanitarian needs, particularly in Gaza, require immediate and sustained responses.

Sani noted that civil society organisations also have a critical role to play in complementing parliamentary efforts, particularly in mobilising humanitarian assistance and sustaining global awareness.

“The 'function-first' approach is very close to our role, especially in missions such as humanitarian flotillas and aid routes, which require close cooperation between government and civil society," he said.

Sani added that Malaysia, through initiatives such as the Sumud Nusantara network, is prepared to support these efforts by strengthening regional collaboration and ensuring that assistance reaches those in need efficiently.

-- BERNAMA