JAKARTA, Sept 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed the rights of Palestinians be respected and urged all countries to show solidarity in taking the same stand and action that was taken when Russia invaded Ukraine.
The message was presented by Anwar at the Asean Summit with dialogue partners the United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada, where he also highlighted the need to address Islamophobia and religious repression.
“They were vocal and condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine but chose to remain silent when issues involving Palestine were raised,” he said during a press conference after attending the closing of the 43rd Asean Summit and Related Summits today.
Anwar urged the Foreign Ministry to support the Saudi Arabian government for taking the initiative on Palestine during the New York Summit in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) after being informed by its secretary-general Antonio Guterres.
He said the assembly will stress on the need for Islamic countries and Europe to take a wise decision on the issue of Palestine.
The Prime Minister said Turkiye had proposed Malaysia and Turkiye hold a meeting in New York to tackle racial extremism and Islamophobia.
“President (Recep) Tayyip Erdogan asked me to assist in organising the meeting at the same time as the UNGA in New York to oppose racial extremism and sentiments of anti-Islam or Islamophobia.
“Religious hatred especially Islam, and President Erdogan has agreed with me to organise the meeting and if we can we want to expand the call to all Islamic nations and other countries to come together and support the cause,” he said.
Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail left Jakarta for home at 9.16pm tonight after having attended the 43rd Asean Summit in Jakarta since Tuesday.
— Bernama
