Malaysia to criticise Board of Peace if Palestine interests harmed

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to criticise the United States-led Board of Peace if its actions undermine Palestinian interests, despite opting not to join the body.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the government was monitoring the board's operations, scope and implications for peace in the Middle East.

"Although we have stated we will not be involved in the Board of Peace, we will continue to examine and monitor its actions and developments.

"If there are actions that do not favour the Palestinian people, we will remain consistent in criticising the Board of Peace," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Lukanisman said Malaysia would continue to exert diplomatic pressure through the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, while supporting efforts to end the conflict.

"However, these actions must be based on justice," he said, adding that Malaysia would continue to advocate for Palestinian rights.

He said Malaysia co-sponsored a ministerial meeting in support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Sept 24 and renewed its long-term contribution of US$1 million to the agency for 2026 to 2030.

At an emergency OIC foreign ministers' meeting in Jeddah on Aug 27, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan also held bilateral talks with his Palestinian counterpart, with both sides calling for stronger collective action by OIC member states.

Lukanisman acknowledged that diplomatic efforts continued to face obstacles, particularly the use of veto powers at the UN Security Council.