Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat, said Malaysia regrets Trump’s plan as it clearly contravenes the basic human rights enshrined in international law.

“The announcement (on the plan) to relocate Palestinians out of Gaza defies logical thinking.

“We strongly oppose and disagree with the proposal to forcibly resettle Palestinians as they have repeatedly stated that they do not want to leave their land,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohamad added that Asean, which Malaysia is chairing this year, would be issuing a joint statement to oppose Trump’s proposal.

On Tuesday, Trump reportedly said the US would take over the Gaza Strip and develop it economically after the Palestinians there are resettled elsewhere.

The US president had earlier proposed resettling Palestinians from Gaza in neighbouring countries, saying the area was simply a “demolition site” at the moment.

Trump said the US would own the Gaza Strip and dismantle any unexploded ordnance before developing it and creating jobs. He added that it could become a home to “the world’s people” and bring greater stability to the region.

Trump’s administration appeared to backtrack on the proposal yesterday, with his secretary of state Marco Rubio saying any resettlement of Gazans would only be temporary and that the idea was “not meant as hostile”.

The White House also said there was no commitment to sending US troops to the Gaza Strip, and that the US would not fund Gaza’s reconstruction.