Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan delivered a fiery rebuke of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza on Sunday, calling out 'indifference and double standards' in the global response to Palestinian suffering. His remarks came just hours before ASEAN leaders gathered in Kuala Lumpur for a high-stakes regional summit.
'The atrocities committed against the Palestinian people continue to reflect a failure of international law,' Mohamad declared, urging the 10-member ASEAN bloc to take a stronger stand. Malaysia, which currently chairs ASEAN, has long championed Palestinian rights and donated over $10 million in aid to Gaza since October 2023.
As Israel escalates its bombardment this month, global criticism mounts over restricted humanitarian access. The UN reports over 1 million Gazans face severe food shortages, with aid groups struggling to deliver supplies under Israel’s partial blockade.
Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation with no diplomatic ties to Israel, has emerged as a vocal advocate for Palestine. Public rallies in Kuala Lumpur this week echoed Mohamad’s call for ASEAN to 'break its silence'—a message likely to dominate summit talks. 💬
With ASEAN’s February statement reaffirming support for Palestinian statehood, all eyes are now on whether the bloc will push for concrete action—or stick to diplomacy-as-usual.
