KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, has advised Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal that a demarche may constitute a threat or otherwise, depending on its contents.
“If a demarche is general in nature, he (Wan Fayhsal) can say that it is not a threat.
“But I am the one dealing with the US State Department, so I understand the contents of the demarche more.
“I would like to tell him (Wan Fayhsal) that what was brought up by the prime minister in the Dewan Rakyat is true.
“So, if Wan Fayhsal doesn’t know better, then he should not talk at all,” Nazri told Astro Awani when contacted today.
Nazri also confirmed that the US State Department has expressed its uneasiness over the statements issued by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that condemn Israel and label the Zionist regime as terrorists.
He added that the US State Department had also requested that Malaysia issue a statement of being sympathetic towards Israel.
“I firmly told the representative from the US State Department that there is no way that Malaysia would sympathise with Israel and will not bow down to any pressure to support the Palestinian cause.
“I would like to tell Wan Fayhsal that I am saying this on American soil, the country that supports Israel, and not in Machang,” he added.
Anwar revealed yesterday during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat that the US had pressed Malaysia three times to reconsider its stance that Hamas are “terrorists”.
Responding to Wan Fayhsal’s claims that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was more firm on the subject compared to Anwar, Nazri explained that all prime ministers have been firm on Malaysia’s stance regarding Palestine.
“Having joined the cabinet since Dr Mahathir’s time, indeed, all the prime ministers have expressed Malaysia’s position on the Palestinian issue.
“But in my memory, there has never been a demarche from the United States towards Malaysia.
“To me, it is not something that can be taken lightly, not something that can be chatted about in a kedai kopi (coffee stall) in Machang.
“He should remember that there has been a case of Mossad agents infiltrating our country and killing Hamas representatives.
“So, remember that this is not a joke (for you) just wanting to talk and shore in more support.
“It’s not that we can’t disagree (on other things), but on this issue, we as Muslims in Malaysia should show that we are united to defend Palestine and Al Aqsa,” he added. — November 1, 2023