Malaysia sought as Hague Group co-chair, says foreign minister

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan disclosed that multiple nations are vying for Malaysia to join South Africa as co-chairs of the Hague Group, alongside other international platforms. The foreign minister attributed this interest to Malaysia's consistent advocacy on issues of international law and humanitarian law at various global forums, as evidenced by the statements made by Prime Minister during his national address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The Hague Group, founded in January 2025 with Malaysia and South Africa as founding members and currently chaired by South Africa, was established to coordinate legal and diplomatic actions against violations of international law concerning Palestine. The group has convened emergency conferences, such as the one in Bogota, and high-level UN meetings, showcasing its role in fostering coordinated responses from member countries.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of such coalitions, stating that individual voices can be amplified through collective action. He highlighted the significance of organizations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Group of 77 in enabling countries to present united positions to the UN and monitor the implementation of their decisions.

Acknowledging Malaysia's status as a middle power, Mohamad stressed the necessity of collaborating with regional blocs such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to enhance global influence. He noted that Asean's stance on global crises is often supported by the international community but cautioned that careful navigation is required to prevent the perception of adopting narrow interests.

He concluded by advocating that Asean should focus on pressing issues like human rights violations and breaches of international law, ensuring its collective voice remains aligned with the broader concerns of its 11 member states.