SHAH ALAM, Oct 14 — Malaysia’s absence from the Gaza peace plan signing ceremony in Egypt was due to its decision to extend only conditional support to the initiative led by United States President Donald Trump, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar said only nations offering full endorsement of the 20-point peace plan were invited to attend the signing held in Sharm el-Sheikh yesterday, which saw the participation of over 20 countries.
“Malaysia supports the plan with reservations as it does not include recognition of Palestine’s sovereignty and fails to address the ongoing occupation and violence by Zionist forces in the West Bank,” he said in response to a question by Paya Besar MP Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah on Malaysia’s support for the Gaza peace plan.
Anwar said Malaysia’s support is based on the urgent need to end the killing and displacement of civilians in Gaza and to ensure humanitarian access to food, water and medical aid.
“Any initiative that stops the slaughter of women and children deserves our support, but peace must also be comprehensive. It must restore the legitimate rights of Palestinians as recognised under international law.”
Anwar added that Malaysia’s conditional stance is shared by several Muslim-majority nations, including those that attended the negotiations in Egypt, Qatar and Jordan alongside US, Israeli and Hamas representatives.
He said Hamas had sent a letter to him dated October 7 affirming its willingness to engage in peace efforts while insisting on a “comprehensive resolution” that guarantees Palestine’s statehood and the right of return for displaced citizens.
Malaysia’s position, Anwar said, remains consistent with its long-standing policy to support all peace initiatives that stop bloodshed while rejecting any proposal that undermines Palestine’s rights.
Anwar also confirmed Malaysia will continue to coordinate diplomatic efforts through Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is currently in New York, and that discussions are ongoing with Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia to facilitate medical aid to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing.
He said Malaysia and Japan, as co-chairs of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD), will spearhead reconstruction efforts in Gaza once a ceasefire is achieved, focusing on rebuilding schools, hospitals, mosques and homes.
Anwar added that Saudi Arabia, China, Brazil, and South Africa have pledged to help rebuild Gaza.
“While we remain cautious, given Israel’s history of breaching past accords such as Camp David and Oslo, we will support every effort that stops the killing and sets the stage for a genuine, lasting peace.”
In Gaza, Israeli bombardments have killed at least 67,800 people, with thousands more feared buried beneath the rubble.
As part of Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war, Hamas yesterday freed the 20 surviving hostages it has been holding for two years in Gaza.
In exchange, Israel released 1,968 prisoners, mostly Palestinians, held in its jails, its prison service said.