Category: World

  • Malaysian Resolve: Standing Strong in Support of Palestine’s Full Membership

    Malaysian Resolve: Standing Strong in Support of Palestine’s Full Membership

    As a predominantly Muslim nation, Malaysia consistently upholds its unwavering support for Palestine, especially at a time when some Arab countries are reconsidering their stance. Despite wavering support from other Arab nations, Malaysia stands firmly with Palestine and condemns Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

    Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan expressed Malaysia’s aspiration for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations (UN) and called for a ceasefire during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim echoed this sentiment, aligning it with Guterres’ statement at the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala, Uganda, which affirmed the Palestinians’ right to establish an independent state.

    In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Anwar stressed the importance of restoring rightful rights to deserving individuals, emphasizing that peace relies on ending oppression, violence, and the denial of rights. He cautioned against the proliferation of apartheid policies, foreseeing an insecure future if such injustice persists.

    Anwar Ibrahim restated Malaysia’s stance on principle, reaffirming the Palestinians’ right to an autonomous state based on borders from before 1967, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan called for responsibility for Israel’s blatant transgressions of international law in Gaza during the UN Security Council Open Debate on The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question.

    The credibility of international law is undermined and efforts to put an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine are impeded, as Mohamad emphasized, by the absence of accountability for its acts. Malaysia is unwavering in its support of justice and the Palestinian people’s rights.

    Mohamad highlighted Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to upholding international law and defending the rights of the oppressed. He disclosed that Malaysia, in collaboration with 56 other countries, submitted a written statement to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 23, 2023, addressing the legal consequences of Israel’s ongoing violations in Palestinian territory. Additionally, he announced Malaysia’s active participation in the forthcoming public hearing scheduled for February 19.

    Asserting Malaysia’s resolute opposition to any reduction in Palestinian territory, Mohamad argued that such attempts contravene international law and hinder the prospects of peaceful coexistence. He criticized the Security Council’s failure to call for a ceasefire, attributing it to over a hundred days of continuous violence and suffering in Gaza.

    Expressing dismay over Israel’s indiscriminate bombing, targeting homes, shelters, evacuation routes, and medical centers, Mohamad presented alarming statistics on Palestinian casualties. He urged the Security Council to recognize Israel’s actions as genocide and advocated for the acceptance of the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.

    Mohamad called for an immediate ceasefire, condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians, and reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to utilizing all available means and rights to end the ongoing injustice and illegality. He urged the international community to prioritize providing essential amenities for the Palestinian people, emphasizing that access to basic services is a fundamental human right that must not be compromised. In conclusion, he condemned Israel’s collective punishment of Gaza’s entire population, branding it as illegal, immoral, and in urgent need of cessation.

    Israel has been carrying out a deadly war on the Gaza Strip since October. At least 24,000 Palestinians (including over 10,000 children) have died, over 60,000 have been injured, and 7,000 are missing under debris, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Since the war started, there have been over 90,000 casualties overall, which represents a sizable portion of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. 

    “The occupation by Israel has to stop. In addition to being unacceptable, Israel’s rejection of the two-state solution in the face of significant international pressure indirectly prolongs the conflict, according to Guterres. He raised doubts about the feasibility of a one-state solution, pointing out that a sizable portion of the Palestinian population would be denied freedom, rights, and dignity in such a system. Guterres reiterated that the only way to satisfy the justifiable hopes of both Israelis and Palestinians is to achieve a two-state solution. 

    For Muslim Majority states, Palestine is a significant issue, symbolizing solidarity within the Islamic world. In democratic Islamic nations like Malaysia, it plays a crucial role in shaping people’s support in elections. Neighboring Indonesia too, exhibiting increased assertiveness on the Palestine issue, garners backing from the Muslim world. Despite close economic ties with Western nations, Despite increased business with the US, Malaysia stands firm in its stance, unwavering in its support for Palestine.

  • Malaysian Politics in Flux: Sorting Fact from Fiction in the Dubai-Connected Rumors

    Malaysian Politics in Flux: Sorting Fact from Fiction in the Dubai-Connected Rumors

    A rumored meeting between opposition leaders and at least two unidentified Malaysian government MPs in Dubai has been the subject of intense debate in recent weeks. This meeting was allegedly intended to engage with backbenchers in order to convince them to change their allegiance and therefore plan the overthrow of Anwar’s government. A potential new scandal is now unfolding.

    The “Dubai Move” purportedly entailed plans to identify and extend offers to MPs willing to switch support to the opposition, aiming to establish a new government. Ismail Yusop, the deputy director-general of the government’s Community Communications Department, claimed on Saturday that opposition leaders and government representatives gathered in Dubai to delegate tasks related to identifying MPs susceptible to accepting bribes in exchange for switching allegiances. The opposition, however, vehemently denied these allegations.

    Doubtful, former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob claimed not to have known about the purported meeting in Dubai. Yaakob took over when Muhyiddin resigned in August 2021, following an unusual public censure from the king. He angrily denied being there at the alleged occurrence, claiming that he was in Saudi Arabia at the time, on his way to Mecca. 

    Members of Malaysia’s unity government are distancing themselves from any knowledge of an alleged political coup plan after a senior government official revealed a purported attempt to oust Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the weekend. Prime Minister Anwar, at a separate event, dismissed the impact of coup talks, stating that it was the opposition’s work and would not affect the government, as quoted by English daily The Star.

    A deputy minister affiliated with Ismail’s UMNO party, Abdul Rahman Mohamad, refuted involvement in any efforts to overthrow the government. Mentioned in a YouTube video detailing the “Dubai Move,” he asserted that he could not have been part of the meeting due to engagement in community work in his constituency. In a Facebook post on Monday, he labelled such accusations as “dangerous” for their potential impact on economic stability and announced his intention to pursue legal action against the responsible YouTube account owner.

    Malaysian politics has a history of tumultuous events. In the midst of the pandemic, influential leaders within the ruling party orchestrated a coup, leading to the downfall of then-Premier Mahathir Mohamad. Muhyiddin Yassin played a crucial role in dismantling the reformist ruling alliance Pakatan Harapan, which had governed for just 22 months. Defecting with over 30 MPs, Muhyiddin formed an alliance with his former party, Umno, which had suffered its first defeat in over 60 years during the 2018 election. He subsequently served as caretaker leader for 17 months. 

    According to reports, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has acknowledged a purported scheme by the federal opposition to unseat the current federal government. However, he suggested renaming it the “Chow Kit Move” instead of the “Dubai Move.” Sanusi contends that the term “Dubai Move” serves as a decoy, given the commonality of visits to Dubai, and asserts that the discussions actually transpired in Kuala Lumpur.

    While Sanusi did not disclose additional details about the supposed plot, he casually mentioned terms like the “Bera Move” and “Sembrong Move,” dismissing them as jests meant for amusement. He insisted that if changes in government support align with constitutional principles, they should be permissible under the Federal Constitution.

    Sanusi hinted at the possibility that the current government might not complete its five-year term, asserting that any actions sanctioned by the Federal Constitution should be allowed. He argued that if the government considered the constitutional validity of five opposition MPs pledging support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, then reciprocal moves should also be treated similarly.

    Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Zahid has criticized attempts to destabilized the unity government, deeming it an futile endeavor. He stressed the importance of prioritizing economic strengthening and urged those involved to await the 16th General Election if they intended to topple the government. Emphasizing compliance with anti-party hopping laws, Zahid insisted that decisions must be substantial, necessitating significant consensus from political parties and not solely relying on sworn statements.

    Despite his position, Zahid refrained from disclosing the identities of those purportedly involved in the move. He underscored the need for collective decisions within political parties, expressing hope that the current government, led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister, would prioritize economic fortification, assistance to the people, and continue to demonstrate the stability of the country.

    The shadow of corruption has loomed over prominent Malaysian politicians. Navigating a coalition government in this country is inherently complex, particularly when dealing with individuals with diverse political views. Such dynamics frequently give rise to conspiracies, efforts to overthrow the government, instances of corruption, and interference by vested interests. The ongoing acknowledgment of the “Dubai Move”, despite official government refutations, indicates that the road ahead for the coalition government in the upcoming years is poised to be arduous.