Malaysia did not invite Israeli delegates to 9th World Urban Forum

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia expressed its opposition to an invitation issued to Israeli delegates to the 9th World Urban Forum (WUF9), but was bound by the Host Country Agreement signed by Malaysia and UN-Habitat.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the delegates were invited to WUF9 by UN-Habitat, not the Malaysian government.

"We not only expressed our opposition to the invite, but when David Roet arrived, he was the only diplomat who was not met at the airport by any officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Malaysian Police did not offer him a security detail," said Reezal.

He said this in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday (March 20).

The Permatang Pauh MP had asked whether the Government intended to establish diplomatic relations with Israel following its move to allow its delegates to enter Malaysia and attend the WUF9.