Malaysia to decide on Apec meet based on partners' positions

Photo: Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will decide whether or not to boycott the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders' Week in San Francisco in November based on the decision of its regional partners.

“We are looking into it. We have contacted Asean and China on their position and we will make a decision based on the position of our friends,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

He was responding to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 30).

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal had asked if Malaysia planned to boycott Apec in solidarity with Palestine.

Earlier, Anwar said the country had received pressure from the United States over its stance in the Palestine-Israel conflict.

“The Malaysian envoy to the United States was called by American authorities which questioned our stance on the conflict, especially the violence inflicted by Israel on Gaza. Our ambassador firmly stated our position,” he said.

Anwar said this happened because Malaysia refused to condemn Hamas’ actions and brand the group as terrorists.

“I was informed by the Foreign Ministry that Malaysia received a demarche from the US Embassy on Oct 13,” he added.

On Oct 30, Malaysia was asked by a US embassy official to use diplomatic channels to urge a country to not take advantage of the conflict by using a proxy to get involved in the Gaza conflict.

While he did not specify the country, it is believed the country referred to by the United States was Iran.