Malaysia Remains Steadfast In Support For Palestinian Cause - M'sian PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today said Malaysia remained steadfast in its support for the Palestinian cause. He said the Palestinian government was aware that Malaysia's stance on Palestinian issues had always been consistent despite the recent remarks by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim allegedly in support of Israel. "I know and I think as much that the Palestine Liberalisation Organisation (PLO) knows this (Anwar's statement) is not our stand and they know our position. Even in my speech to the international media, we said the same thing. "They know that the Malaysian government is very supportive of the Palestinian cause in the past and the support will continue to be strong," he told reporters after his opening address at the International Construction Week 2012 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here Tueday. He was asked whether Malaysia would make a clear statement on the disappointment expressed by the Palestinian government over Anwar's statement on Israel. This disappointment and concern has been expressed by Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to the chairman of the Administration of al-Quds Foundation Malaysia, Nasharudin Mat Isa, during the latter's visit to Kuwait recently. Nasharudin, who is also Bachok Member of Parliament from Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), reportedly said that Ismail Haniyeh and the Palestinians felt very confused and worried why Anwar made such a statement. Anwar was reported to have stated his support on efforts to look after and protect the security of Israel when he was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently. Najib (fifth from right) said the statement would cause a lot of frustration to the Palestinians, and PAS had also urged him (Anwar) either to sue WSJ or get them to retract and clarify what he had said to them. "Obviously, this is a huge disappoinment for them (Palestinians) to have heard he (Anwar) had made the statement. "You cannot use what you say to different audiences to see different things. You have to be consistent in your stand because whatever you said, even if you said it in Bachok or Jerantut (both in east coast states of Malaysia), would be reported worldwide," he said. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA