Malaysia should get involved in Mideast peace efforts, says Saifuddin

2026-03-25 - 12:50

Saifuddin Abdullah urged the government to view the Middle East crisis as an ‘illegal war’ by the US and Israel, rather than a ‘conflict’, and acknowledge that Iran has the right to defend itself and launch counter-strikes. PETALING JAYA: A former foreign minister said as Malaysia had effectively served as a mediator in the past or had been involved in resolving international conflicts, it should play a role in bringing peace to the Middle East. “It is only appropriate for the government to continue playing the (middleman) role and bring about a positive outcome,” Saifuddin Abdullah said, referring to the war in the Middle East. He said this in hailing foreign minister Mohamad Hasan’s initiative to hold talks with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, his Iranian counterpart, on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict. In a Facebook post, Mohamad said their phone conversation yesterday focused on the rising tensions in the region and the importance of safeguarding key maritime routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, to ensure global economic and energy stability. Saifuddin called on the government to view the crisis in the Middle East as an “illegal war” by the US and Israel, rather than a “conflict”, and acknowledge that Iran had the right to defend itself and launch counter-strikes. He said there must be a push to end the war and not just for a ceasefire. He said the government should also revive the idea of peaceful coexistence between Iran and its neighbours. “I hope the government will also reach out to the other nations who are actively using diplomatic channels to end the war, including Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar,” he added in a statement. In July last year, Malaysia, along with the US and China, brokered a truce to end deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, but the ceasefire was short-lived. Malaysia had also previously acted as a mediator for conflicts in the region, including in Aceh, southern Thailand and the southern Philippines.