2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Mohamad: Asean to press Trump on Palestine at summit
KUALA LUMPUR: The 47th Asean Summit and its related meetings, which will be attended by United States President Donald Trump as a dialogue partner, present an opportunity for the bloc to raise the issue of genocide in Palestine directly with him.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Trump's participation in the Asean-US Summit would enable the grouping to engage face-to-face and deliver its collective position.
"I believe we can convey Asean's unified stance and reaffirm that the bloc, with one voice, condemns the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people.
"We have already succeeded in securing a joint Asean statement expressing deep regret over the atrocities inflicted on Palestinians.
"Through bilateral channels, we are confident that the US, and Trump in particular, would also wish to see Israel's cruelty come to an end.
"We will push for this to be strongly emphasised in the Asean chair's statement by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the opening of the 47th Summit, stressing that the US, as a major power, must assume its responsibility to help resolve the crisis in Gaza urgently," he said in his winding-up speech on the 13th Malaysia Plan.
He was responding to Hassan Karim (PH–Pasir Gudang), who questioned whether it was appropriate for Malaysia, as Asean chair, to invite Trump to Kuala Lumpur when "his hands are stained with the blood of innocent Gazans in the genocide."
Mohamad said that the invitation was extended as part of Malaysia's role as host nation for the Asean-US Summit, and should not be conflated with Malaysia's stance on Palestine.
"We invited him, and he has confirmed his attendance. I believe it is beneficial for us to meet face-to-face, as this allows all Asean members to voice their positions, just as we did when the US Secretary of State attended the recent Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
"So, these issues should not be mixed," he said.
On a suggestion from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN–Alor Star) for Malaysia, as Asean chair, to propose the formation of an Asean Humanitarian Coalition for Palestine, Mohamad welcomed the idea.
"That is a good suggestion. Whether or not it can be translated into action is another matter. What is important is that, for the first time, Asean has succeeded in issuing a joint statement.
"Previously, it was difficult as member states held differing views, but this year we managed to unite Asean's voice in condemning the atrocities in Palestine.
