Malaysia to attend OIC meet and stand by Muslim brothers against US' Jerusalem move
ROSLI ZAKARIA
New Straits Times9 December 2017
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will meet with leaders of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) nations on the rejection of Muslim nations of the United States announcement to make Jerusalem the capital of Israel.
Getting the support from all delegates, especially the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings, Najib said Malaysia could not accept the pressure placed on its Muslim brothers in whatever situation.
"How can we accept the humiliation on one of three holiest sites for Islam. We will fight until the end," he said in his closing remarks at the Umno general assembly.
Najib has cancelled a meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong to attend the OIC special meeting in Istanbul on the invitation of Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, Turkey.
The meeting is scheduled next Wednesday
"Mr Erdogan said Malaysia's voice is important. I had to cancel a consultative meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
"I have informed him ( Lee) that the OIC meeting is about a matter which affects my faith as a Muslim and the faith if all Muslims."
Later at Press conference, Najib said Malaysia-US ties are multi-dimensional, but Malaysia would not budge from its stand against the handing over of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
"We can work with (US) on other aspects, but in this matter (Jerusalem), we remain with our principle. It is something unacceptable, and against the rule sovereignty as decided (in the region) by United Nations Security Council.
"The issue will lead to difficulties in holding discussions pertaining to the two-state resolution. Severe tension will mount and possibly blood will be spilt.
"I understand that even the Christians are not at ease with the current development. The European countries and non-Muslim countries are of similar sentiments."
Najib also said the US Ambassador to Malaysia would be officially informed by Wisma Putra on Malaysia's stand.
He, however, denied that military measure would be in place as of now.
"We are now using diplomacy and negotiation channels."
At the Umno general assembly, Najib also commended Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin for organising a succesful rally which unites Malaysians from all walks of life and political divide in front of the Tabung Haji building after Friday prayer to protest against the US move.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia would continue to speak up on behalf of the people of Palestine.
He added that Najib would also carry the voice of Umno in fighting for the Palestinian cause.
"We have been consistent in upholding the rights of the Palestinians, similar to our stand when speaking against the atrocity on the Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar," he said.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said US' recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital was a "huge slap" to the Muslim world.
"The Armed Forces is standing by for any eventuality concerning the ongoing Jerusalem controversy," he said.
Puteri chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the move by US president Donald Trump was like firing a missile to the holy city.
"Let us pressure Trump to revoke his action before a huge conflict starts," she said. © New Straits Times
