KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Malaysia took every opportunity during meetings with United States (US) President Donald Trump throughout the recent 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits to consistently urge for a comprehensive solution to the Gaza issue.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that he made full use of each engagement with the American leader, whether in official or private settings, to raise concerns about the situation in Gaza.
He had used the term ‘comprehensive settlement’ or ‘comprehensive solution’ to stress that a proper resolution to the Gaza conflict must be holistic, not limited to a ceasefire but one that recognises the sovereignty and rights of the people of Gaza and Palestine.
“Officially, I raised this issue three times, which received media coverage. Meanwhile, in ‘The Beast’ (Trump’s official vehicle), there was a private four-eye conversation.
"In those three official occasions, I emphasised the need for a comprehensive solution to the Gaza-Palestine problem. What mattered most to me, and what I found most meaningful, was the opportunity to speak heart-to-heart with President Donald Trump about the plight of Gaza and Palestine,” he said during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Responding to Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat's query on the outcomes of his meeting with Trump, Anwar said Malaysia did not shy away from expressing its views firmly, even as many world leaders chose to avoid engaging Trump on the Gaza issue.
The reconciliation efforts through the proposed ‘20-Point Plan for Gaza’ represented an important initial step, though fragile and requiring global collective strength to sustain.
He stressed that the reality remains that the US plays a decisive role in halting the attacks or enforcing a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We have expressed our anger and disapproval of the atrocities in Gaza to the United States. Whenever we have the opportunity, we must convey our views clearly, and that view is for a comprehensive solution," Anwar said.
The Prime Minister added that Trump had assured him personally and reiterated during their meetings that he would ensure ‘the peace deal works’, describing it as a positive start.
At the same time, Malaysia would continue to play its part by voicing strong calls for peace and maintaining humanitarian efforts, including medical aid and readiness to participate in peacekeeping missions.
He said that during his recent discussion with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the latter expressed readiness to increase access through the Rafah Crossing to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian, medical, and development assistance.
“This initiative has also been welcomed by several other nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkiye.
“There are proposals to convene a meeting among Arab and Islamic countries in Cairo soon, and I will attend if invited,” Anwar said, responding to Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh's additional query on further measures Malaysia could take beyond calls for a ceasefire and an end to Israeli aggression.
