Malaysia to launch a signature campaign to condemn recent Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound flotilla; Malaysian Prime Minister will seek agreement from like minded countries to hold a special session of the UN to condemn Israeli attack;
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    • Malaysia will soon launch a signature campaign in support of a motion to condemn recent Israeli attack on a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza. Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has reportedly asked Malaysian representative to the UN Datuk Hamidton Ali to inform UN secretary General Ban Ki- Moon about his country’s intention to bring a resolution on that matter.1 Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will also seek agreement from like minded countries, particularly from the OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference) and NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) to hold a special session of the UN in September to condemn Israeli atrocities.2

    During Czech Republic’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Helena Bambasova’s recent visit to Malaysia, both countries decided to strengthen their bilateral ties, particularly in sectors like higher education, tourism, trade, investment and defence. In 2009, the bilateral trade reportedly amounted to RM806.6 million.3

    In his keynote address at the 24th Asia-Pacific held at Kuala Lumpur on June 8, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak emphasised that ASEAN should re-examine its conduct of affairs in order to deal with rising global strategic challenges more effectively. He also urged the ASEAN member states to deliberate on the possibilities of enhancing participation of both the US and Russia in the Asia Pacific regional architecture. Both the United States and Russia have signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and are dialogue partners of the ASEAN, having strong cooperative relations with both the organization as well as its member states.4

    While emphasising on the necessity of people’s active participation in the recently launched reconciliation plan, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said that the Thai people should seriously look for effective and transparent political mechanism in order to reform the country. Abhisit has also promised to push for the completion of a Thai reform plan by the end of this year.5 It is worth noting that the reconciliation plan was launched on the morning of June 10 with the holding of a religious ceremony involving five religions.

    While breaking its long silence over the escalating anti-junta protest in Myanmar, India has recently expressed hope that the political reform within the neighbouring country would be more broad-based and all sections of the people would be included in the reconciliation process.

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