KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been consistent in calling for a comprehensive peace solution for Gaza, including during every engagement with US President Donald Trump during the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, says the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said when raising the Gaza issue with Trump, the term ‘comprehensive settlement’ or ‘comprehensive solution’ was highlighted to stress that a true resolution to the conflict must be holistic.
He said the solution should not be limited to a ceasefire but one that recognises the sovereignty and rights of the people of Gaza and Palestine.
“Officially, I raised this issue three times, which received media coverage. But during the trip in the ‘Beast’ (US president’s official vehicle), there was a private conversation.
“What mattered most to me was the opportunity to speak heart-to-heart with President Donald Trump about the plight of Gaza and Palestine,” he said during Prime Minister’s question time in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was replying to a question from Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) who wanted to know whether the government raised the need for a comprehensive solution instead of a ceasefire proposal based on a 20-point plan to end Israel’s war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Anwar said he had fully used the opportunity to bring up the issue with Trump as he had exhausted all the opportunity to speak to other leaders.
“It is the US president who we can seek help from to solve the issue in Gaza. I do not know who else we should raise the matter with. I have met with French President Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor and other European leaders. I have exhausted all means,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia has also been invited to a proposed meeting for Arab and Islamic countries to discuss the occupied Gaza issue.
“If circumstances permit, I intend to attend. This time, we have been invited,” he added.
On another matter, Anwar said Malaysia’s success in hosting the Summit should be a source of pride for all Malaysians, regardless of political affiliation, and not a subject of criticism or division.
“Today, Malaysia’s name shines on the world stage; something that has rarely happened in our history. Let us seize this moment to strengthen our nation.
“Do not be resentful of our nation’s success. Prime ministers may come and go, rise and fall, but the nation must always be uplifted,” he said to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) on Malaysia’s efforts to balance its diplomatic and trade relations with major global powers.
