Malaysia has decided not to participate in the ‘Board of Peace’ initiative for Palestine at this time, despite the involvement of several ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said it remains unclear whether the Board of Peace would take immediate action to address the root causes of the Israel-Palestine conflict, including Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation and violations of international law.
“While many countries have contributed significantly to the development and reconstruction of Gaza, this Board appears not to prioritise the more pressing matters, namely ending Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and advancing prospects for a two-state solution,” he said.
Mohamad emphasised that Malaysia, in principle, supports any global effort aimed at achieving lasting peace in Palestine. “We consistently maintain that sustainable peace can only be realised through an inclusive and comprehensive solution grounded in international law,” he added.
His remarks were part of a written reply on the Parliament website in response to a question from Datuk Shamsuddin Abd Ghaffar regarding Malaysia’s position and involvement in the Board of Peace initiative alongside other ASEAN nations.
The minister noted that Malaysia prioritises peace-building through multilateral mechanisms that are inclusive, transparent, and based on international consensus, particularly via recognised platforms such as the United Nations and existing regional cooperation frameworks.
He stressed that the participation of some ASEAN countries in the Board of Peace reflects their own sovereign decisions, which Malaysia respects. “Our country will continue to prioritise diplomacy, constructive dialogue, and regional cooperation guided by ASEAN centrality, while remaining committed to working closely with all regional partners to promote peace, stability, and shared prosperity in line with our foreign policy,” he said.
