‘Malaysia will not bow to US threats’
Malaysia will not bow to the United States’ threat to cut aid to countries that opposed its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia was not the biggest recipient of economic aid from the US, which was the Zionist regime’s closest ally.
United States President Donald Trump made the threat ahead of a United Nations General Assembly vote yesterday on a resolution calling for the US to drop its recognition of Jerusalem.
“We mostly receive technical aid, such as in security and defence,” he said yesterday.
Zahid arrived at Masjid Putra for the Solidarity Rally for Jerusalem at 12.20pm.
“It’s not right for the US to make such threats because the world has spoken, and it is our right to have an opinion on the matter,” he said.
The UN General Assembly yesterday passed a measure rejecting the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem.
Besides threatening to cut aid to countries that backed the UN resolution, the US also said it might stop funding for the UN.
Despite this, 128 countries voted in favour of the measure. Nine countries, including the US and Israel, voted against it, while 35 abstained and 21 were absent.
Zahid said Malaysia was really disappointed that the UN resolution was vetoed at the UN Security Council meeting.
“This (the US’ decision on Jerusalem) triggered the extraordinary OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) summit in Istanbul recently. Members made a clear stand to reject the US’ decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
“The UN resolution calling on Trump’s administration to rescind its decision reflects the world community’s stand.
“Any move to reject the resolution can be seen as ignoring the world community’s views.”
On Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s proposal to open an embassy in Jerusalem, Zahid said the matter would be discussed in the cabinet meeting.
“We will discuss it in the first week of January, and the Foreign Ministry will submit a memorandum on this.”