SAN FRANCISCO: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia have called for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
The statement from the three Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) member countries came after a separate Chair Statement was issued on the aggression in Ukraine at the meeting.
Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia then decided that they would do the same with regards to Gaza.
“We therefore agreed to issue the following statement to give a better and fair reflection of the discussions on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza during the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting,” they said.
The three countries noted with grave concern the immense human suffering and the adverse impact of wars and conflicts around the world, Bernama reported.
“We underscored that conflicts can have significant consequences for the global economy.
“We called for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip,” said the joint statement by the three countries.
The three countries also pointed out the need for an immediate, continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip.
“We reaffirmed that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on the relevant United Nations resolutions.”
At the Apec Economic Leaders’ Retreat, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim again raised the issue of Gaza and Palestine, saying that was imperative that the principles of justice and human rights be upheld when handling global issues, including trade and economic growth.
Therefore, the United States should be fair and should not choose to abstain when it comes to discussions on the conflict (ceasefire) in Gaza, he said.
“I emphasise the need for all countries to press for a ceasefire in Gaza so that there will be no further loss of civilian lives, especially infants. Stop the atrocities in Gaza, stop it now,” he said.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir in addition to Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, several Apec member economies, such as Chile, also gave the same view on the issue in Gaza.
“They are also of the view that the crisis in Gaza needs to be stopped immediately because it will affect the global economic climate,” he told the Malaysian media.
He said there were countries that agreed with Malaysia that a ceasefire should be implemented immediately and maintained the stance that the crisis in Palestine should be included in the Apec Leaders’ Golden Gate Declaration after a suggestion that the crisis between Russia and Ukraine should also be included in the statement.
