THE Cabinet has yet to deliberate on recent calls by several Arab nations urging Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza, but the issue may be brought up at its next meeting, scheduled for Friday.
“As of now, the Cabinet has not discussed the issue. It may be raised at this Friday's meeting,” Communications Minister and Government Spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil told reporters after officiating the International Connectivity Conference and Expo 2025 (ICC2025) today.
He stressed that matters involving international affairs and political developments would be managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra). “Any developments on political matters concerning international affairs will be provided by Wisma Putra and discussed accordingly,” he said.
The remarks come in the wake of a joint statement by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, which urged Hamas to disarm as part of efforts to end the 21-month conflict with Israel.
Malaysia’s foreign policy position on Palestine remains consistent. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan previously told the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia’s support is rooted in principle, focusing on Palestinian statehood rather than any particular group.
“Many have asked, including my counterparts, why Malaysia appears to support Hamas,” he said. “We have made it clear that we are not supporting Hamas. We are supporting the Palestinian cause, and Hamas is just part of the Palestinian landscape.”
Malaysia to Prioritise Income Growth in 13th Malaysia Plan
Turning to domestic matters, Fahmi said the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament tomorrow, will focus on raising national and household income in alignment with the MADANI Economic Framework.
“The five-year plan will be anchored on the principle of ‘raising the ceiling and raising the floor’, a strategy aimed at accelerating economic growth while ensuring broad-based social well-being,” he said. The plan will emphasise high-value-added sectors and downstream industries to drive inclusive development.
Digital Future Must Centre Human Values, Says Minister at ICC2025
Fahmi also highlighted the importance of preserving human values in the digital age, despite rapid advances in connectivity and artificial intelligence.
“We can embrace AI, but human elements such as ethics must come first and serve as the foundation for our planning, especially in development and future-focused policies,” he said at ICC2025, a two-day event showcasing innovations in digital connectivity, AI, and smart data ecosystems.
Malaysia Hosts Ceasefire Talks Between Thailand and Cambodia
On a separate note, Fahmi revealed that Malaysia played a crucial diplomatic role in brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, following escalating tensions and armed conflict at the border.
The historic meeting, held in Putrajaya last Monday, was hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
“I believe our intention was clear, which is to restore peace and stability in the region,” Fahmi said during the Ministry of Communications’ monthly assembly.
“As this year’s ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has taken on a vital role in navigating the region’s diversity and complexity. We’ve demonstrated leadership and succeeded in finding common ground.”
He described the outcome as a major diplomatic breakthrough. “We witnessed a rare moment when Malaysia stood at the centre of regional diplomacy. Both parties reached a consensus and jointly declared a ceasefire,” he said.
Nevertheless, he cautioned that the situation on the ground remains fluid. To support implementation, Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar led a delegation to meet with military leadership in both Thailand and Cambodia on Tuesday.
The conflict, which began with a border skirmish on 28 May and escalated into full-scale clashes by 24 July, has claimed at least 32 lives and displaced over 200,000 people. The ceasefire agreement, secured through face-to-face talks in Putrajaya, takes immediate and unconditional effect. - July 30, 2025
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