Malaysia has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to permanently remove Palestinians from Gaza, calling it “ethnic cleansing” and a violation of international law. The Malaysian government announced on Thursday (February 6) that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had unanimously rejected the controversial plan, which it said undermines the rights of Palestinians.
Speaking in parliament, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan reaffirmed the region’s firm stance against the proposal, emphasizing that any forced displacement of Palestinians is unacceptable.
“Our stated position is that ASEAN and Malaysia as chair this year do not agree with any form of violation of international laws,” Mohamad said. “We do not agree with any violation of UN charters. We do not agree with violations of human rights, the Geneva Convention, or others.”
This marks the first time ASEAN has taken a collective stance on a major U.S. foreign policy issue since Trump returned to the White House for his second term on January 20. The strong regional opposition comes amid widespread international criticism of Trump’s remarks, which have drawn backlash from U.S. allies in Europe and the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia.
The controversial proposal was announced on Wednesday during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Trump suggested the U.S. take “long-term ownership” of Gaza and relocate its residents elsewhere. The comments were later softened by the White House, but they have nonetheless sparked fears of mass expulsion among Palestinians and their supporters.
Malaysia’s foreign ministry issued a statement rejecting any unilateral “solutions” that disregard Palestinian self-determination and fundamental rights. “Malaysia strongly opposes any proposal that could lead to the forced displacement or movement of Palestinians from their homeland,” the statement read. “Such inhumane actions constitute ethnic cleansing and are clear violations of international law and multiple UN resolutions.”
The United Nations has also weighed in, warning that Trump’s proposal is “tantamount to ethnic cleansing.” UN spokeswoman Stephanie Dujarric stressed the importance of adhering to international law, saying, “It is vital that we stay true to the bedrock of international law. It is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing.”
Malaysia has been one of the most vocal critics in the region of Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in more than 47,000 Palestinian deaths before a ceasefire took effect on January 15. The war began after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,500 Israelis.
In the face of global outrage, U.S. officials have since attempted to downplay the displacement aspect of the plan, stating that any relocation of Palestinians would be temporary while efforts to rebuild Gaza are underway. However, skepticism remains high among international leaders, with many fearing that Trump’s proposal could escalate tensions further in the region.
As Malaysia leads ASEAN’s response to the crisis, the bloc’s unified rejection of Trump’s plan underscores Southeast Asia’s commitment to upholding international law and advocating for Palestinian rights.
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