Anwar’s meetings with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt leaders unprecedented amid Gaza conflict, says Zambry

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has taken an unprecedented move by visiting other countries amid the current escalation in Gaza, thus proving the country’s commitment to uphold the rights of Palestinians, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir (pic).

The Foreign Minister said this is evident following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt where the current conflict in Gaza was the main issue discussed during the meetings with the leaders of the three countries.

“It is rather unprecedented in the context of Malaysia to go around the world during a serious situation such as now, but that’s exactly what we did.

“In recent days, Malaysia has increased pressure to the highest level in asking the international community to stop turning a blind eye by allowing the Zionist regime to simply kill civilians.

“For your information, issues related to Palestine have already been brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“According to the provisions in the Rome Statute, an international criminal case listed in the Statute can only be referred to the ICC by three parties, namely either the member states of the Rome Statute themselves which Malaysia is not a member, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), or the ICC Prosecutor,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 26).

Zambry was responding to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) who asked why Malaysia had yet to make a firm statement regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by calling for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be referred to the ICC.

In April 2019, Malaysia announced its withdrawal from ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) after having already signed it on March 4 the same year.

The then former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia is not against the Rome Statute but decided to withdraw “because of the political confusion about what it entails, caused by people with vested interests”.

Zambry said Malaysia is also planning to participate in an oral session of the International Court of Justice in February next year to submit a statement on obtaining an advisory opinion on the Palestinian conflict.

“Malaysia has previously participated in submitting a written statement to obtain an advisory opinion on the Palestinian issue which was submitted to the ICJ registration on July 25 this year and the statement focused on the violation of the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination by Israel.

“Malaysia also plans to participate in an oral session which is expected to take place on Feb 19 next year,” he added.

In an additional question, Ahmad Fadhli also asked Zambry to state the countries that have issued threats to the Prime Minister following Malaysia’s stand in supporting the Palestinian cause.

This comes following Anwar’s remark on Tuesday (Oct 24) where he revealed that he had received many attacks and criticism from the international community.

“I believe it would be better not to name who they are in the Dewan Rakyat but as stressed by the Prime Minister, we will not be afraid by any threats,” Zambry added.