KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the United States (US) veto on the proposal put forth by the United Nations (UN) Security Council (UNSC) for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict.
Anwar said there was no basis for any country to deny the ceasefire in Palestine and frustrate the process.
"On behalf of the Malaysian government, I would like to strongly condemn the decision made by the US to oppose the ceasefire (in Palestine) at the UNSC (level).
"Notwithstanding all other arguments, we have suggested that we must stop the killing of innocent civilians, babies and women.
"There is no reason, absolutely no basis for anyone to deny this (ceasefire) and frustrate the process," he said when met by reporters on the second day of the Madani Government One-Year Celebration held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, today.
Yesterday, the US vetoed the UNSC resolution, which was co-sponsored by nearly 100 UN member states that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
The resolution also received the support of 13 Security Council members, while the United Kingdom (UK), which is also a permanent council member with veto power, abstained.
At the same time, the draft resolution called for all parties to the conflict to adhere to international law, particularly the protection of civilians as well as an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
The resolution comes after UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Dec 6 warned that the war in the Gaza Strip may aggravate existing threats to international peace and security.
Guterres also invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter and stated that the current conditions were making it impossible for humanitarian operations to take place.
While repeating his call for a humanitarian ceasefire, Guterres wrote that the humanitarian conditions in the ongoing war are fast deteriorating into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole.
Meanwhile, Anwar said he was also disappointed with the decision made by the US, which disregards human rights.
Following this, he added that Malaysia will not emulate the US in terms of democracy and human rights values.
"The whole world condemns and objects to the murder of innocent civilians but they still (continue) and (due to this,) I am tremendously upset and object to their decision that disregards human rights.
"I am also deeply saddened by the outrageous decision to ignore the clamour and appeal by the international community (for a ceasefire).
"Hence, if we want to view the US (highly) in terms of democracy and human rights, it seems that we should postpone (the thought)."