JOHOR BARU: Malaysia’s long-standing policy of not recognising Israel remains unchanged despite calls by several United States congressmen for Washington to suspend military training programmes and review bilateral ties, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic).
The Defence Minister said actions taken against Israeli citizens allegedly linked to activities at Network School in Forest City were merely the enforcement of an existing national policy.
“Our policy regarding Israel has existed for a long time. If there are Israeli citizens involved, then any action taken is simply the implementation of a policy that Malaysia has always upheld,” he told reporters after attending the Umno Pasir Gudang division meeting here on Saturday (July 25).
Mohamed Khaled was responding to reports that eight US congressmen had urged the US administration to freeze military training programmes and reassess relations with Malaysia unless Putrajaya reversed its policy of tracking down and deporting Israeli citizens.
Malaysia does not recognise Israel and has maintained restrictions on Israeli passport holders for decades.
Mohamed Khaled said the views expressed by the US lawmakers were a matter between them and their government.
“If the American government decides to freeze such programmes, that is up to them. They also need to understand that Malaysia’s policy on Israel has been in place for a long time,” he said.
He stressed that military cooperation between Malaysia and the United States was continuing as usual.
“Our officers are still attending courses and training programmes in the United States. Some courses last a year, one-and-a-half years, or even two years,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled also dismissed claims that Malaysia received military funding from the United States under such arrangements.
“There is no funding involved. These are training courses and educational programmes for military officers,” he said.
The issue arose following investigations into the operations of Network School in Forest City, where authorities have been examining allegations of non-compliance with local regulations and possible involvement of Israeli nationals.
Mohamed Khaled reiterated that Malaysia’s stand on Israel was consistent with its long-standing foreign policy and should not come as a surprise to any country.
“America knows that this has always been Malaysia’s policy. There is no difference now compared to before,” he said.
