KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will participate in an oral session at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Feb 19, to submit a statement on obtaining an advisory opinion on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said it was among the steps that could be taken in supporting the humanitarian cause, apart from expressing views through bilateral relations, as well as at the regional and international stages.
"While Malaysia is not a signatory of the Rome Statute, we can play a role in this, by among others, fostering cooperation with the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) state members and like-minded countries," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Noraini Idris during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.
On Oct 26, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir had said that Malaysia planned to participate in an oral session of the ICJ in February next year to submit a statement on obtaining an advisory opinion on the Palestinian issue.
He had said the country's participation in the process of obtaining an advisory opinion at the ICJ symbolised the country's commitment in helping to find a solution to the conflict in Palestine.
Earlier, Mohamad said Malaysian envoys to other countries had the duty to express and uphold the nation's interest in the international arena, including through engagement sessions with stakeholders in host countries.
This is especially in continuously conveying Malaysia's stance on cessation of hostilities, cease fire and humanitarian corridor, he said.
"The country's stance in this issue (however) will not affect diplomatic ties with other countries.
"There's no difference in Malaysia's stance, either on the Palestine-Israel or Ukraine-Russia conflict."
This, he said, showed the country's approach in sovereignty in expressing its view without feeling pressure or fear.