KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — The upcoming ASEAN-United States Summit in October, which United States President Donald Trump will attend, offers a vital platform for ASEAN to convey its firm rejection of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza directly to Washington, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Chair of ASEAN for 2025, will emphasise the United States’ responsibility as a global power to push for an immediate resolution to the plight of the Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, during the Summit’s opening session.
“It is a good thing (that Trump is attending the Summit), as it allows us to communicate directly. All ASEAN member states can convey their stance (rejecting Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinians) directly, just as we did during the recent 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the US Secretary of State.
“We have also issued a joint statement in which ASEAN expressed deep regret over the atrocities that Israel committed against the Palestinians,” he said when winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan at Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
He also stressed that Malaysia’s invitation to Trump to attend the Summit should not be linked to other issues, noting that bilateral ties between Malaysia and the United States must continue to be pursued.
Regarding Malaysia’s assistance to Palestine, Mohamad stated that the country has so far contributed approximately USD 17 million in public donations to the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP), specifically providing support to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society for the purchase of medical supplies.
Mohamad said Malaysia had also contributed an additional financial aid totalling USD500,000 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society during the special session held in conjunction with the 58th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting last month.
