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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger collaboration between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to end the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, describing a collective regional and global effort as vital to stopping the prolonged conflict and alleviating Palestinian suffering.
Speaking to reporters after performing Eid al-Adha prayers at Masjid Putra on Friday, Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, stressed the importance of united international pressure against Israel’s actions.
"We have conveyed our stance through the Wisma Putra statement, but this is not the effort of a single country. As we have done recently with the Gulf states, there is consensus," he said.
"Therefore, ASEAN, the Gulf nations and several others should come together to provide a clear explanation and apply firm pressure on the global stage to stop the Israeli atrocities," the Prime Minister added.
Anwar’s remarks come in the wake of the United States’ recent use of its veto power at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to block a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of humanitarian aid restrictions.
Malaysia has expressed deep regret and disappointment over the UNSC’s repeated failure to adopt resolutions demanding an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the removal of aid blockades in Gaza.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued Thursday, denounced the UNSC’s continued inaction, calling it “deeply disappointing” and lamenting the repeated use of veto power in the face of one of the worst humanitarian tragedies since the Second World War.
Anwar also condemned countries that continue to supply arms to Israel, labelling such actions as inconsistent with the principles of international law and humanity.
"Mere statements of condemnation followed by continued arms sales to Israel are actions in direct violation of international legal and humanitarian principles," he said.
"We strongly denounce such moves and will seek diplomatic avenues to support the Palestinian struggle to reclaim their legitimate rights, including in Gaza," Anwar added.
The Prime Minister also disclosed that, in Eid al-Adha phone conversations with Muslim leaders including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, there was unanimous concern over the Zionist regime's violence.
“All voiced a clear stance... and we have agreed to continue dialogue in order to find a resolution to this crisis as soon as possible,” he said. - June 7, 2025
