“It is inaccurate to say we fear the big powers. An example is the resolution 2334 achieved at the United Nations Security Council.”
Just before US President Donald Trump came into office, Reezal said, his transition team tried to coax Malaysia into dropping its draft resolution condemning Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem.
“That was the first time in history that the US decided to abstain from voting. And there were attempts from the US to contact us and talk us out of proceeding with the resolution.
“But we didn’t back down because we believe the resolution was the right move. This showed that we don’t bow down, or let the big powers decide who we should be friends with.”
Reezal, who is Kepala Batas MP, was responding to a question from Kamaruddin Jaafar (PKR-Tumpat) at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Kamaruddin asked if the government would review its foreign policies so that the country is not influenced by major powers in both the West and the East.
In response, Reezal said while there were certain US policies with which the government disagreed, it would not be rushed into making a decision on foreign policies.
This was because the government respected the rights of every country to form and enact policies that they think is best for their own citizens, he added.
He also referred to Trump’s widely-criticised travel ban on seven Muslim countries, which has been suspended by a US federal appeals court.
Yesterday, Trump revised his immigration directive to exclude Iraq, as well as US permanent residents and current visa holders coming, from the six other countries, which are Yemen, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Syria.
“Any country is allowed to decide its own direction, which it perceives is for the interests of its people,” Reezal said.
“And Malaysia will continue working with the US, to ensure the continuance of our bilateral ties. We also want to take care of our people, and the 7,500 Malaysian students in the US.
“Trump said America first, but our policy is Malaysia and Malaysians first.”