PETALING JAYA: Malaysia must carefully consider a proposal by several countries for it to co-chair The Hague Group alongside South Africa, given legal constraints and its status as a non-party to relevant international conventions, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said accepting the role could raise questions about Malaysia’s position on international legal instruments, including the Rome Statute, and their compatibility with the Federal Constitution.
He said the proposal followed Malaysia’s active involvement in The Hague Group, an international platform aimed at increasing pressure on Israel over the Palestinian conflict.
"We must consider this carefully because Malaysia is not a state party to the convention. Therefore, we cannot become a co-chair.
"For now, it is sufficient for Malaysia to remain a co-sponsor," Bernama reported him as saying in reply to Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) on Malaysia's efforts to increase international pressure on Israel over the Palestinian conflict.
Mohamad said Malaysia joined South Africa as a co-sponsor at the recent United Nations general assembly to intensify pressure on Israel, including efforts to bring the issue before the UN Security Council.
He said international support for the Palestinian cause was growing, including among countries that previously maintained close ties with Israel.
Mohamad said about 160 countries supported Palestine’s admission as a UN member, which according to him reflected a shift in international attitudes towards the issue.
He said Malaysia remains committed to defending Palestinian rights and continues to raise the issue through the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Asean and other multilateral platforms.
Mohamad said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had consistently raised the Palestinian issue in meetings with world leaders and at international forums, including those held under BRICS and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
He said contributions from Malaysians to the foreign ministry’s Palestinian humanitarian trust account were channelled to Palestinians in need through trusted organisations.
These include the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and NGOs, to ensure that aid reaches those in need, he added.