Malaysia cautious over proposal to co-chair The Hague Group, says Tok Mat

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Malaysia should thoughtfully evaluate a proposal to co-chair The Hague Group with South Africa, cautioned Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in the Dewan Rakyat. The minister explained that accepting the role might raise concerns about Malaysia's participation in international legal frameworks, such as the Rome Statute, which could potentially clash with the Federal Constitution.

The proposal came after Malaysia's active engagement in the group, which seeks to intensify pressure on Israel concerning the Palestinian issue. During a Minister's Question Time, Mohamad clarified that Malaysia, being a non-party to the relevant conventions, cannot assume the role of co-chair. He emphasized that Malaysia should continue as a co-sponsor and principal sponsor for now.

Malaysia has also joined South Africa as a co-sponsor at the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to further pressure Israel. International support for Palestine's admission as a UN member has grown significantly, now totaling around 160 countries. Malaysia continues to advocate for Palestinian rights through various multilateral platforms, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has consistently done.

Mohamad reiterated Malaysia's demand for UNSC reform, particularly addressing the issue of veto power, which he believes hinders the resolution of the Palestinian conflict. He stressed the need for reform to prevent the veto from being used arbitrarily. Additionally, Mohamad highlighted Malaysia's humanitarian efforts, with contributions made through the Foreign Ministry's Palestinian Humanitarian Trust Account directed to trusted organizations such as UNRWA and NGOs to ensure aid reaches those in need.