KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia need not fear the pressure it is facing due to its stance to stand behind the Palestinians.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia's stand was shared by 119 other countries and believes that the conflict must be resolved by the international community.
"We need not feel worried or scared with any form of pressure. We are among the countries who are at the frontline in standing up for the Palestinian issue.
"Malaysia's strict stand is shared by 119 other countries who are members of the United Nations during the UN Security Council emergency meeting on Oct 27.
"The government is standing by its strong stand that Palestinians must be given proper justice based on international law. This is the real voice of democracy," said Anwar during the Prime Minister's Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat here today.
He was replying to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai).
Anwar said he also was "offended" with one of the three demarche notes sent to by United States officials to Malaysia which expressed concern over Malaysia's stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict as it involved Malaysia's relation with another country.
However, he said Malaysian remained resolute despite continued pressure from US and others in the Palestine issue.
"Although we will probably face reprimand or warnings from many quarters, Malaysia will not bow down to any form of threat. We cannot have such elements whether they are done openly or in a hidden manner.
"For example, our ambassador in Washington was been called by the US State Department and that country pressed upon its stand on the Palestine issue.
"The Foreign Ministry received demarche notes from the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur asking Malaysia to use diplomatic channels to ask a certain country (a third country) to not take advantage of the conflict by using a proxy to be involved in clashes in Gaza," said Anwar.
When replying to a supplementary question from Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Kamal (PN- Machang), Anwar said the US's diplomatic note reflected its concern with Malaysia's stand.
"Firstly, I want to clarify that a demarche is not a neutral stance. When a foreign country gives a demarche, it means they have concerns, and it is a move which does not amount to a protest, but it expresses concern.
"(The demarche) was not given once, but thrice. One was given to the (Malaysian) ambassador, and two others were given on Oct 13 and 30 (to the foreign ministry).
"That is why we regarded it is as a reminder, and our answer is still firm expecially in our relationship with Hamas. Secondly, I am offended following (a) meeting with a foreign country. The information had been relayed and we replied firmly. If it was only related to us directly ....this is why I choose to reply this directly (today) so these countries, including their intelligence will understand we will not tolerate this," said Anwar.
On Oct 25, Anwar had disclosed that he received threats from European parliamentarians over Malaysia's position on the Palestine-Israel conflict, but he stressed that he was undeterred by it.
He had said he would explain the threats from European politicians later, and did not disclose their identities or which European Union nations were involved.
On Oct 29, Inspector-general of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the threats against Anwar were real and should not be trivialised or labelled as political manoeuvres for personal gain.
Razarudin had said he discussed Anwar's security issue with Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and his directors.
He had also said the threats were due to Anwar's outspokenness on the humanitarian issue in Palestine and the displacement of the Gaza people.
On his recent working visits to Saudi Arabia, Turkiey and Egypt, Anwar said:
"Malaysia stated its preparedness to cooperate with Muslim countries and other like-minded countries to find a fair, comprehensive and permanent solution to the Palestine issue."