Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has condemned the proposal for the forced expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, calling it an act that violates international conventions, charters, and treaties. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that the proposal contradicts Malaysia’s long-standing support for Palestine and the stance of the international community and United Nations (UN) resolutions, which affirm the Palestinian people’s right to an independent state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Hasan emphasized that the announcement to expel the Palestinian people is regrettable. He reiterated that Wisma Putra issued a statement opposing and rejecting the forced expulsion. He highlighted that the Palestinian people have declared their intent to remain in their homeland, and Malaysia’s support for Palestine’s struggle for independence is unwavering, making the proposal contradictory to Malaysia’s position.

In response to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) during the Dewan Rakyat session, Mohamad addressed the issue further. He noted that US President Donald Trump announced the US would “take over” the Gaza Strip and proposed resettling Palestinians outside the territory, a move criticized as ethnic cleansing and a war crime.

Mohamad stated that ASEAN’s stance aligns with Malaysia’s, opposing the proposal as it violates human rights, the UN charter, and international laws. As the ASEAN chair, he shared with counterparts that ASEAN will issue a joint statement against the proposal.

He noted that 2024 has seen elections favoring ultra-right parties, affecting global peace and stability achieved through multilateral and bilateral agreements. He stressed that changes in governments often disregard previously established foreign policies, posing a geopolitical challenge.

Mohamad emphasized the need for ASEAN to remain stable, strong, and united, adhering to a non-alignment policy to maintain regional peace and stability.