Don T Expect Good Treatment From Pro Israel Us Says Outgoing Envoy

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Ong Kian Ming said Nazri Aziz should have arranged for a phone call between the prime minister and the US president like what the heads of neighbouring countries had done.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s outgoing ambassador to the US, Nazri Aziz, has brushed off a former MP’s claim he failed to arrange for a phone call between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US president Donald Trump.
Nazri said Malaysia’s firm stand against Israel on the issue of Palestine was well-known worldwide, and Malaysia cannot be expected to be treated as well as certain nations by the US.
He also played down former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming’s concerns over the lack of a phone call between Anwar and Trump, describing the DAP man as “weak-minded”.
“The Trump administration has been pro-Israel, so Ong needs to use his brain. How can we get good treatment (from the US) if our stance goes against the US?
“We cannot show such a firm stand (against Israel) yet try so hard to speak with the Trump administration. That makes us look two-faced.
“Do we want to cosy up with the US or defend our stance?” he told FMT.
Nazri, a former Umno leader, said he had notified the Prime Minister’s Office to give the Oval Office a phone call after Trump’s inauguration.
He claimed that the PMO had then said Trump was busy at the time and could not speak.
“Even if we could not get a call, it’s okay. We just wanted to put on record that the prime minister had called to send his congratulations. And the PMO did as advised, so it’s all right.”
In the past, Anwar had called out the US for being hypocritical on the Gaza conflict, questioning its support of a ceasefire while still sending Israel weapons.
Anwar also claimed he had been threatened by Western powers over his criticism of the Israeli government following the war in Gaza.
Earlier today, Ong accused Nazri of failing to organise a call between Anwar and Trump despite its importance in the diplomatic community.
The former deputy trade minister pointed out that the heads of neighbouring nations like Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore had held calls with Trump before his inauguration.
However, Nazri pointed out that Malaysia’s relationship with the US is a comprehensive partnership, one tier below the strategic comprehensive partnership the US has with Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand.
He said Malaysia should not place the US on a pedestal, and maintained that it was “not a huge problem” that Anwar has yet to speak with Trump.
“Ong is weak-minded, to feel that we have been threatened by not speaking (to Trump). What is so important about being ‘BFFs’ (best friends forever) with the US? Other nations treat us well – the Chinese, Russian, Indian leaders.
“Don’t let our minds be colonised by the US. We are friends with all nations, but we will not be BFFs with any one nation, including China, India or Brazil.” - FMT

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