Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Malaysia has a role in the OIC to find a solution

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to support honest, concrete, and realistic efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict issue, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar (United-City Tun Razak) said Malaysia would always look at developments in West Asia regarding the normalisation efforts of the state of Israel in recognising the occupation of Palestine.

He added that Malaysia will use its existing roles in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the United Nations (UN) to realise the desire to see a lasting solution.

"Malaysia understands the dissatisfaction of the Palestinians.

"Palestine has the right to express its frustration after being oppressed by the Israeli regime for so long.

"Malaysia will continue to support honest, concrete and realistic efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the provisions of international law and the relevant UN resolutions through negotiations involving the relevant parties," he added.

He said this in response to a question from Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (Pas-Sik) who wanted to know proactive measures with the country with international bodies such as the OIC to express objections regarding the unjust plan of normalization of the state of Israel to recognize their occupation of Palestine.

In his additional question, Ahmad Tarmizi also wanted to know if Malaysia had plans to hold an international forum to replace the role of the OIC which he claimed was lazy in defending Palestinian sovereignty.

Answering the question, Kamaruddin said Malaysia generally considered the UN and the OIC still had a role to play in finding solutions.

“Even now Malaysia is a committee member in the OIC on the Palestinian issue; Malaysia is also a member of the UN liaison group to defend Al Quds Al-Sharif.

"We have something that can be played, especially in the OIC.

"I am confident that if we continue and enhance our role, we will achieve success without being pressured to create another platform," he added.

Meanwhile, answering an additional question from Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) on changes in the leadership structure of the United States will bring a new dimension in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Kamaruddin said Malaysia will continue to monitor the development.

"Of course we have and put hope for a change in the US administration, and we read the previous statements, a little give positive hope for good in the current situation," he added.