adminIPOH: Malaysia reiterates its commitment to establishing good relations with all countries and determining its own policies as an independent country, including in managing the challenges of the global energy crisis, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said a neutral and open approach was important to ensure that the country’s interests continued to be safeguarded, especially when geopolitical uncertainties were putting pressure on the global economy.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia does not depend on the agreement of any superpower in determining national policy, but instead makes its own decisions as a sovereign country.
“We have to be friends with everyone… this country of Malaysia is free and independent, we decide our own policies,” he said in his speech at the Tambun Cooperative Unity Park Civic Friendship Networking Ceremony in the grounds of the Ar-Rashid Mosque, here today.
The Prime Minister also informed that Malaysia’s good relations with Arab and Gulf countries, including Iran, allow for continued communication and cooperation, as well as ensuring that the country’s shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz remain open.
“Although our country is not a large one, we are grateful that all the Arab and Gulf countries involved have contacted us, including the President of Iran,” said the Prime Minister.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Meanwhile, Anwar said Malaysia would continue to channel humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza in Palestine, including through missions to deliver food and medicine supplies.
The Prime Minister said he had also been in contact with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to ensure the route to Rafah was opened, to allow humanitarian aid to be channeled to Gaza.
He said the people in Gaza were facing starvation and Malaysia remained committed to continuing aid efforts as a sign of concern for their plight.
Yesterday, the Selangor Menteri Besar’s Office announced that Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari would represent the Prime Minister to lead the 30-container Malaysian Humanitarian Mission to Gaza and the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 delegation.
The mission, organised by the Malaysian Islamic Organisation Consultative Council (MAPIM), will deliver 30 containers containing 374 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the government continues to seek the best solution in facing the global energy crisis, including paying attention to traders, farmers and fishermen.
“I’m not saying there’s no problem. How could there be no problem. The price of diesel has gone up, but we help farmers, fishermen, we all share.
“But we have a way to solve it slowly…now there are meetings of the National Economic Action Council every day,” he said.
— BERNAMA
