Kuala Lumpur: ASEAN parliamentarians have made a clear and unified call for an end to the violence in Gaza, Palestine, emphasizing that the regional bloc has not turned a blind eye to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, according to ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president Tan Sri Dr. Johari Abdul.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the matter has not been ignored and was recently discussed at AIPA meetings. Dr. Johari responded to criticisms over ASEAN's perceived silence on the Gaza conflict, especially when compared to its strong stance on issues in Myanmar and Ukraine. He noted that previous statements, which represented a consensus among all leaders, called for an end to the violence in Gaza, including a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian assistance, and an end to acts of genocide.
"It is a very strong statement. There's nothing to hide," Dr. Johari, who is also the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, said at a press conference after the 14th ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit. He emphasized that as ASEAN is working to resolve the Myanmar issue, more discussions among parliamentarians and government leaders in ASEAN are needed to push for collective efforts regarding the Gaza situation.
Dr. Johari expressed hope for more meetings to address the issue, noting the global awareness of the situation in Gaza. Regarding Myanmar's military government's push to hold national elections by the end of the year, he highlighted ASEAN's strategy of engagement and dialogue with all parties involved, aiming to understand the various factions and their goals.
On the topic of the ASEAN summit occurring amid escalating United States tariff tensions, Dr. Johari acknowledged the critical nature of the summit for export-oriented nations. He stated that ASEAN leaders are exploring ways to address the situation, allowing each country to deal with the US individually while maintaining a shared understanding among ASEAN members.
The ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface serves as a platform for dialogue between ASEAN heads of state/government and the Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and representatives of AIPA Member Parliaments, aiming to align regional priorities through inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance.