Anwar: Priority is a ceasefire or more people will be killed
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is hoping to deliberate further on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Palestine, with its Arab friends and neighbours, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister, who is on a diplomatic tour beginning with Cairo, Egypt, said the complex issue needed to be resolved with a priority on achieving a lasting peace.
Following his engagements in Cairo, Anwar will proceed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Arab-Islamic Summit.
“We have taken a strong position on this. In fact, we have promoted the idea that when a country refuses to acknowledge the United Nations Security Council resolutions, the only option is to expel it from the UN.
“This is a position that needs to be considered but I know how complex it is because what Mr President (Egypt’s Abdel Fattah El-Sisi) told me, the priority is of course a ceasefire, priority is peace because without that people will continue to be killed, women and children being assaulted, so I share this sentiment with you.
“But we look up to our friends and Arab neighbours, we will certainly deliberate further tomorrow (today) in Riyadh as we are here as friends,” he said during a press conference in Cairo yesterday.
He thanked El-Sisi and the Egyptians for helping Malaysia’s humanitarian efforts for Gaza, which have not been easy due to Israel’s continuous blockades and intransigence.
Seeking strong action: Anwar attending a press conference with El-Sisi during his four-day official visit to Egypt at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, Egypt. — Bernama
Anwar said El-Sisi had personally interfered on several occasions to ensure there was a smooth flow, including allowing the country’s military planes to take some injured Palestinians to Malaysia.
“This is small compared to the sacrifice of the Egyptians in support of the Palestinian brothers, particularly Gaza now.
“But I have to represent Malaysia in thanking you for your support to ensure that this works.
“You are an important player in trying to get a resolution, a difficult complex situation together with Qatar and the United States, the Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and all available avenues to secure a lasting peace,” Anwar added.
He also thanked El-Sisi for Egypt’s support for Malaysia’s application to join BRICS.
He commended Egypt’s profound voice for the global south, which used to be known as a non-aligned movement.
He said Malaysia had learnt a lot from Egypt in the non-aligned movement which is seen as the leading voice in terms of resilience, independence and neutrality consistent with the Asean’s centrality position.
“This is in terms of engaging with all countries and collaborating particularly in terms of trade and investment but maintaining independence.
“As the chair of Asean next year, we will do our best with our colleagues as well as to engage with Egypt.
“I will do my level best to ensure that Asean benefits from its relationship with Egypt, especially being the founder of the African Union and an important voice in the region,” he said.
Upon completing his itinerary in Cairo and Riyadh, Anwar will lead the Malaysian delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2024 Summit in Lima, Peru.
