NEW YORK: Malaysia has lent its voice alongside other nations in raising concerns on what’s happening in Ukraine, Palestine and Myanmar, reiterating peace and stability are crucial as the world deals with challenges.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the United Nations Charter and International laws were in place to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes, which also set the limits of a country in pursuing its interests.Referring to the war in Ukraine, the Prime Minister said the crisis proved that the price to be paid for war was high.
“The effects are not only felt by the people and the country, but also by the rest of the world.
“This conflict has threatened peace, global security and the economy and undermined food security.
“Malaysia remains insistent that all countries, especially the major powers, refrain from creating a separatist bloc that will only push the world towards a cold war,” said Ismail Sabri at the 77th United Nations General Assembly here on Friday.
He said the creation of a sea route corridor that would allow for the shipment of grains from Ukraine was seen as a positive step in addressing the issue of food security.
On Palestine, Ismail Sabri, who labelled Israel as an apartheid entity, said Malaysia wanted action to be taken expeditiously like in the situation regarding Ukraine.
“Most countries are so quick to act in the case of Ukraine.
“Malaysia wants the same action to be taken to resolve the issue of Palestine. Israel needs to stop being an apartheid entity,” he said.
On Myanmar, Ismail Sabri said Malaysia was disheartened to see the UN Security Council not acting on the crisis happening there, adding that some saw it as the council washing its hands off the matter and leaving it to Asean to deal with the matter.
“There is no meaningful progress in the implementation of the Asean five-point consensus, which also needs to be given a new lease of life, based on a clearer framework, timeframe and end goal,” he added.
Although Malaysia was not a signatory to any convention on refugees, he said nearly 200,000 Rohingya refugees had been accepted on humanitarian grounds.
“It is the responsibility of all countries to take in more refugees to be resettled in their respective countries,” he said.
Calling on the importance of addressing the root cause of the Rohingya crisis, Ismail Sabri said the issue would not be resolved as long as the crisis persists.
“The pillar of strength for a conflict-free world is living together in a culture of peace,” he said.
