Malaysia, Indonesia reaffirm ‘unwavering support’ for Palestine

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Malaysia and Indonesia on Wednesday reaffirmed their “unwavering support” for Palestine, including its bid for full UN membership.

The reiteration of support for Palestine came during a meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

“Our conversation touched on the issue of Palestine, with both nations reaffirming our unwavering support for justice for the people of Gaza and the acceptance of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations,” Anwar said after the meeting.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an attack by Palestinian group Hamas last October.

Nearly 38,000 Palestinians have since been killed, most of them women and children, and around 87,141 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Over eight months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

The Malaysian prime minister also said he discussed with Marsudi the Malaysia-Indonesia border matter, the issue of detained fishing vessels involving citizens of both countries, and Indonesian labor.

“I assured Ibu Retno of Malaysia’s commitment to improving the protection and welfare of over 500,000 Indonesian workers in Malaysia,” Anwar said, adding that they also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

Marsudi is on an official trip to Malaysia where earlier today she held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Hasan in Kuala Lumpur.

Hasan and Marsudi discussed ongoing cooperation in preparation for the 17th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation set to be held in Indonesia.