Demarche from the US cannot be taken lightly, says Zambry

KUALA LUMPUR: The demarche notice Malaysia received from the United States concerning its position on the Israel-Palestine conflict cannot be taken lightly, says the Foreign Minister.

Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said it is important to look at the notice with the right context.

“We know that what is going on now is a very big crisis involving a major power. We cannot take it lightly. This is not the first time,” he said while adding that there were three demarches previously.

He said the matter must be taken seriously and that Malaysia must take the necessary measures. He said Malaysia had clearly stated its position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Zambry said this in response to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal’s (PN-Machang) interjection, where the latter had said a demarche is a normal practice in diplomacy.

“It is not as dramatic as Tambun (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) described. If it is true it was a threat like what Tambun had said, then it is a national threat that has to be dealt with properly and adequately by Wisma Putra,” Ahmad Fayhsal said.

The Prime Minister revealed on Oct 31 that the United States had tried to exert pressure on Malaysia over its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict on at least three occasions.

“The Malaysian envoy to the United States was called by American authorities who questioned our stance on the conflict, especially the violence inflicted by Israel on Gaza,” Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat.

Our ambassador firmly stated our position,” he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat here on Tuesday (Oct 31). He said this came about because Malaysia refused to condemn Hamas’ actions and brand the group as terrorists.

“The Foreign Ministry informed me that Malaysia received a demarche from the US Embassy on Oct 13,” said the Prime Minister. A demarche is a formal diplomatic representation (diplomatic correspondence) of the official position or views on a subject from one government to another.

On Oct 30, Malaysia was asked by a US Embassy official to use diplomatic channels to urge a country not to take advantage of the conflict by using a proxy to get involved in the conflict in Gaza. While he did not specify the country, it is believed the country referred to by the US was Iran.

Anwar reiterated the country’s independent stance, saying that Malaysia will remain firm in its humanitarian considerations and condemn Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestine.

He said while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was condemned, the same was not done in the Israeli occupation of Palestine, especially by countries such as the United States although it had been going on for many years.

In his speech at the Malaysia for Palestine Rally last week, Anwar said Malaysia had received criticism from pro-Israel countries, particularly the United States, for sympathising with Gaza and the Palestinians.