Malaysia is taking a cautious approach before endorsing the New York Declaration on Palestine as some of its preconditions appear inconsistent with the country’s foreign policy, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Speaking during ministerial replies in the Dewan Rakyat, the Foreign Minister said while Malaysia agreed with the overarching goal of the declaration – the immediate establishment of an independent Palestinian state – several clauses are making the country feel uncomfortable.
“We agree with the objective, which is to realise a free and sovereign Palestinian state. But we are not entirely comfortable with the preconditions laid out (in the New York Declaration).
“There are aspects we feel are not in line with Malaysia’s foreign policy. So, we are being careful,” he said.
The declaration was adopted on July 30 during a high-level international conference in New York with aims to revive the two-state solution and push for a lasting peace between Palestine and Israel.
The declaration calls for Hamas to disarm and hand over Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA), envisions a demilitarised Palestinian state under PA rule and urges Israel to commit to a two-state solution, end occupation and restore Palestinian institutional control.
Mohamad emphasised that Malaysia’s support for the Palestinian cause remains unwavering and principled, and is not aligned to any specific political faction within Palestine.
“We support the rights of the Palestinian people – not any specific group – to establish their own state, govern themselves and determine their own leadership,” he said, reaffirming Malaysia’s long-standing position for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital.
He said Malaysia has consistently rejected Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank, describing the actions of the Zionist regime as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“They claim to be acting in self-defence. But how is the mass killing of women and children an act of defence? If it’s about defending a nation, how many more must die to satisfy that narrative?” he said.
Mohamad also took aim at the United Nations Security Council, criticising the use of veto powers to block resolutions that condemn Israeli violence.
“Malaysia has formally called for reforms at the Security Council. We want the veto power of permanent members to be limited, especially in cases involving genocide, war crimes and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.”
He also announced that Malaysia is leading a new diplomatic coalition called The Hague Group, aimed at intensifying pressure for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring humanitarian access.
“Malaysia is at the core of this group. We are calling for an end to the forced displacement of 2.5 million Palestinians and the immediate opening of humanitarian corridors,” he said.
Mohamad condemned the prolonged blockade on Gaza, saying that no aid trucks had entered through Jordan or Egypt in the past four-and-a-half months, leading to widespread hunger and starvation.
“Israel is using food as a weapon of war. People are dying of starvation. Even when Gazans go to collect aid, they are shot. We strongly condemn this cruelty,” he said.
