JAKARTA: Malaysia wants the world's superpowers, who were vocal in condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine to take the same stand when it comes to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Asean has made it clear that their silence on the issue could not be tolerated.
He said Asean, which today held its annual summit involving its dialogue partners such as the United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada, has also highlighted the need to address Islamophobia and repression in the name of religion.
"I have told them that while they protest Russia's attack on Ukraine, they appear to be silent on the issue of Palestine.
"We need to give a voice to this, to respect the rights of the people of Palestine and this was welcomed by the United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres, which will convey the matter to the (world body)," Anwar said at the end of the 43rd Asean Summit and Related Summits here today.
He said Malaysia has also received support from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and both he and Anwar will bring up the issue of Palestine in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly this month.
"Gutteres mentioned that Saudi Arabia's government will take an initiative on (the Palestine issue), and (Malaysia's) Foreign Ministry will take note of this during the New York summit.
"This initiative involves putting pressure on the need for Islamic countries and Europe to take wise action on the issue of Palestine.
"President Erdigan from Turkey has asked me for help so that the both of us could hold a meeting held about the same time as the (UNGA summit) in New York to protest against all forms of racial extremism and all kinds of anti-religious sentiments known as Islamophobia.
Erdogan agreed with me and agreed to hold this event with me, and if possible, we can expand this to Islamic countries and other countries to join this effort."
Indonesia as Asean chairman had also in its statement for the summit condemned the atrocities occurring to the people of Palestine.
Anwar said it has been a practice since the time of Asean's founders for the region to be a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (Zopfan), and this forms a big part of their foreign policies and stand towards issues at all times.
"I think what is important is that Asean have built up a consensus, they may have their own shifts and preferences, but as Asean, we maintain our neutrality. You can see the presence of the United States, Russia and China in our dialogues.
"In our deliberations, we allow each of these countries to have their say. Despite the strong difference with Russia and the United States for example,or the US with China, we maintain for this forum to remain one for engagement and not for contentious debate or enmity.
"In that sense, Asean has been more successful (to voice opinions directed towards the superpowers). But we cannot control the fact that certain countries have their own peculiar economic requirements, and this tends to shift things a little but this does not necessarily reflect Asean's stance or position," said Anwar.
Anwar said he regarded the recently concluded Asean summit hosted by Indonesia this year as a success because of the developments in issues in the region and beyond.
He said Indonesia led the discussions with the bloc and its partners on the need for Myanmar to accept the suggestions given to bring peace to that country.
"The military administration continues to make efforts for peace to be difficult. Although efforts have been led by Indonesia as Asean chairman, such efforts were not welcomed by Myanmar's military regime.
"It is an issue which affects our collective efforts, as well as (Malaysia) specifically because there are 200,000 refugees from Myanmar. Refugees from that country are going to Bangladesh."
He said Indonesia should be commended for holding more than 100 engagements with stakeholders from Myanmar during its chairmanship of Asean.
In terms of economic achievements at the summit, Anwar said many dialogue partners among the big Asia Pacific economies pledged fundings to engage in programmes related to the digital economy and socio economy with Asean's members.
"Actually, economic cooperation was given a lot of focus this time around. China is preparing funding for additional aid in a certain area.
"The United States conveyed its move to set up the Asean-US centre. Australia is setting aside funding for digital development, while India also announced a special allocation for various sectors," he said at the end of the 43rd Asean Summit and Related Summit here today.
He said such concrete endeavours which were discussed between the heads of government and government representatives would lead to new programmes in the region.
