RIYADH, Oct 20 — Asean and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders convened for the first time at the blocs’ historic summit today, with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim calling upon the international community to end the disproportionate treatment and flagrant hypocrisy against the Palestinians.
He said the international community must no longer turn a blind eye to the atrocities and must address the root causes of the Palestine-Israel conflict.
“Without exception, human rights must be protected, and international law must be upheld. The Palestinians must return to their land, homes, and properties.
“They must be allowed to live in peace and dignity in their own sovereign state in internationally recognised borders, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Anwar said in his speech at the summit.
In this highly challenging time with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that could widen into a regional and world conflict, Malaysia hopes all nations will come together to find a long-lasting and just solution to the conflict.
The Prime Minister said he looks forward to members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), particularly the five permanent members — the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom — playing their role as honest peace brokers.
“This is the time for the world to come together,” he stressed.
Malaysia is both gravely alarmed and deeply saddened by the high civilian casualties due to the latest escalation of clashes in and around the Gaza Strip.
“We condemn Israel’s disproportionate and indiscriminate bombing in Gaza and the blocking of basic and essential needs to those in Gaza, putting the lives of many Palestinians in peril,” Anwar said.
Of immediate concern, there is an urgent need to establish humanitarian corridors to deliver assistance to the needy, and Malaysia is ready to join the international efforts in delivering humanitarian aid and relief supplies.
Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince cum Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman reiterated the Kingdom’s support for a just solution to the Palestinian cause.
In his opening speech at the summit, he said he was saddened by the escalating violence in Gaza, for which innocent people were paying the price.
In his opening statement, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, whose country led Asean this year, also called for ending the violence in Gaza following international laws.
Jokowi co-chaired the summit with Crown Prince Mohammed.
The inaugural Asean-GCC Summit brought together the two prominent blocs comprising the 10 Asean member states and the six members of the GCC — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chin, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet were among the Asean leaders attending the summit.
Asean-GCC relations began in 1990 and have grown over the years as both sides realised the huge potential in expanding trade and geopolitical strategies.
Asides from the Palestine-Israel conflict, the summit is expected to discuss a wide range of significant topics, primarily focusing on trade, energy and economics, apart from enhancing ties between both sides.
It is also expected to adopt a comprehensive plan of action from 2024 to 2028, covering substantive areas of cooperation.
This includes heightened collaboration in the energy sector, exchanges on low-carbon technologies, enhanced cooperation in finance and banking, and the development of halal certification standards.
The value of trade between Asean nations currently stands at more than US$110 billion (RM524.7 billion).
— Bernama
