STATEMENT BY

DATO' SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA

OIC CONTACT GROUP ON
ROHINGYA MUSLIMS OF MYANMAR

22 JUNE 2025

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

Excellencies,

Assalamua’laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Mr. Chairman,

1.   Malaysia is deeply concern with the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. We urge that the safe, dignified and sustained return of internally displaced Rohingyas to Rakhine State, must be prioritised.

2.    As the ASEAN Chairman, Malaysia is committed to taking a constructive approach to address the situation in Myanmar.

3.   We have identified three key priorities, which are to:

      i.   promote inclusive political dialogue;
     ii.   ensure the cessation of violence; and
     iii.   to scale up humanitarian assistance.

4.   Malaysia, through the ASEAN Special Envoy, has intensified efforts to engage inclusively with all stakeholders. Because, at present, there are many stakeholders in Myanmar.

5.   Such inclusive engagement would lay important groundwork for deeper cooperation on shared priorities, particularly in advancing humanitarian assistance.

6.   In this regard, Malaysia would like the OIC Contact Group and our Special Envoy to identify fields of collaboration that could further complement efforts in supporting a peaceful and inclusive resolution.

Mr. Chairman,

7.   The recent earthquake has caused serious humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

8.   It is therefore crucial to ensure a safe, secure and enabling environment for timely and effective aid distribution to all affected communities.

9.   The conflicting parties had announced a unilateral temporary ceasefire.

10.   Nonetheless, we call on all parties to continue towards a more permanent ceasefire and work towards a sustainable resolution to the crisis.

Mr. Chairman,

11.   Despite these encouraging developments, funding for humanitarian efforts remains critically insufficient. We encourage members of the OIC to continue their support for relief efforts.

12.   Malaysia has contributed 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid consisting of essential supplies, deployed the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), and set-up a field hospital immediately after the earthquake, in Sagaing City, the area most affected by the earthquake.

Mr. Chairman,

13.   We believe that to achieve a sustainable and lasting solution, we must work on instilling trust and confidence among the stakeholders.

14.   While this is not easy, building trust is the key to rebuilding a nation torn by conflict.

15.   In conclusion, Malaysia encourages greater engagement between the OIC Member States and the stakeholders, while focusing on ending the violence, alleviating the humanitarian crisis with a view of supporting peace in Myanmar.

16.   I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

NATIONAL STATEMENT BY

DATO' SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA

AT THE 51ST COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE OIC MEMBER STATES

“THE OIC IN A TRANSFORMING WORLD”

21 JUNE 2025

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

His Excellency Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye

His Excellency Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the OIC

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Brothers and Sisters,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

1.   I begin by extending my appreciation to the Government of Turkiye, for the generous hospitality accorded to me and my delegation.

Mr. Chairman,

2.   “The OIC in a Transforming World”, is an apt theme, calling us to advance peace, socio-economic development, and collectively tackle the multiple crises facing our world.

3.   Some of these crises, in particular, deserve the urgent attention of the OIC.

4.   The first is the unresolved Question of Palestine. This is not merely a political deadlock,

Mr. Chairman.

5.   It is a stain on the conscience of humanity, and a shameful legacy of displacement and illegal occupation that continues to fuel instability and suffering.

6.   The Israeli regime’s siege of Gaza, the mass starvation, the blockade of aid delivery, and the murder of civilians are systematic crimes.

7.   In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli military operations and settlement-expansion are dangerously altering the region’s demographic and geographic reality.

8.   These are crimes that must not be left unchecked, for impunity will only reinforce the deadly cycle of violence and abuses.

9.    The international community’s inaction only lends substance to Israel’s belief that it is immune from consequence, even when it provokes war with a sovereign country.

10.   As we have seen in recent days, Israel’s illegal aggression against Iran has resulted in the deaths of innocent Iranian civilians.

11.   The UN Security Council’s paralysis over Israel’s atrocities is utterly embarrassing.

Mr. Chairman,

12.  There can be no peace without justice. The very notion of justice demands that we confront the ridiculous and impossible conditions being placed on Palestinian statehood.

13.   Had the same conditions been applied on the Occupier instead of the Oppressed, would the former even exist today?

14.   Malaysia remains steadfast in its solidarity with the Palestinian people.

15.  We urge the global community to exert all efforts to realise an independent State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital.

Mr. Chairman,

16.   Incidents of discrimination and attacks against Muslims have reached unprecedented levels.

17.   Normalised Islamophobia has become the main justification of Israel’s crimes against Palestine and Iran, as well as of the persecution of Muslims in some countries.

18.   Malaysia urges for a strong partnership between the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia and the Special Envoy of the OIC Secretary-General, in focusing on promoting understanding across faiths, and fighting against bigotry.

Mr. Chairman,

19.   At the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit led by Malaysia recently, a new historic economic partnership was forged.

20.   Malaysia believes that this can support developing States to circumvent the impacts of the US-China trade war.

21. The OIC, as the second-largest intergovernmental organisation in the world, holds vast potential for strategic partnership. 

22.   Malaysia therefore proposes the expansion of the OIC Trade Preferential System, and the reduction of trade barriers, to strengthen economic ties among Member States.

Mr. Chairman,

23.   We stand at a critical juncture. The OIC’s relevance depends on the strength of our institutions, including the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission.

24.   Malaysia is committed to the promotion of human rights, with an emphasis on economic, social, and cultural rights. These form the bedrock of sustainable development.

25.   By focusing on these areas, we can enable a resilient and enduring socio-economic growth.

26.  Malaysia is therefore confident that our candidate for the Commission’s membership for the 2025–2028 term, Dr. Aishah Bidin, whose vast experience and valuable expertise, including in the realm of sustainable development, will meaningfully contribute to this goal.

27.   In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, Malaysia stands ready to forge an enduring partnership that brings lasting benefit, and a more promising future for our Ummah.

28.   I thank you.

 

MALAYSIA ELECTED TO THE INDEPENDENT PERMANENT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

(IPHRC) OF THE OIC FOR TERM 2025-2028

 

Malaysia has been successfully elected to the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for the term 2025-2028.

The elections took place on 21 June 2025 at the sidelines of the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Istanbul, Republic of Turkiye. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan led Malaysia’s lobbying efforts in the elections.

Malaysia’s candidate, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Aishah Bidin, will serve on the Commission for the term 2025-2028 beginning August 2025.

Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Aishah Bidin has vast experience and exposure in the field of human rights and humanity, as she has served as the Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM). She has also represented Malaysia in ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and has always been referred to and invited to forums organised by the United Nations and other International Organisations. Malaysia’s membership in the IPHRC will contribute to the socio-economic development of OIC Member States for the well-being of the Ummah.

Established on 30 June 2011 and comprising 18 Commission Members, IPHRC acts as an expert body with advisory capacity to the OIC, working independently in the area of human rights.

 

PUTRAJAYA

22 June 2025

WORKING VISIT OF

THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF ENERGY TRANSITION AND WATER

TRANSFORMATION TO THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

21-24 JUNE 2025

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof will undertake a working visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan from 21 to 24 June 2025. The Deputy Prime Minister will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad bin Haji Alamin.

On 23 June 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President of the Republic Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, followed by a meeting with Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mirzamahmudov Jurabek Tursunpulatovich, to explore opportunities in energy sector, including renewable and clean energy.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 in Samarkand. The keynote address will touch on Malaysia’s best practices and innovation in public service. On 24 June 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister will participate in the Malaysia-Uzbekistan Business Forum 2025 in Tashkent.

The visit underscores Malaysia’s continued commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In 2024, total bilateral trade stood at RM369.8 million (USD80.9 million) with exports valued at RM365.1 million (USD79.9 million), while imports stood at RM4.8 million (USD1 million). From January to April 2025, bilateral total trade was recorded at RM106 million (USD25 million).

 

PUTRAJAYA

20 June 2025

 

 

51st SESSION OF THE ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION
COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING,
ISTANBUL, REPUBLIC OF TÜRKIYE, 21-22 JUNE 2025

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan will lead Malaysia’s delegation to the 51st Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul, the Republic of Türkiye, from 21 to 22 June 2025.

The Meeting will involve the participation of Foreign Ministers and representatives from 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States. With the theme of “OIC in a Transforming World”, this Meeting is expected to deliberate and agree on common approaches for addressing the political, socio-economic and cultural challenges faced by the Ummah, through the adoption of the Istanbul Declaration and nearly 146 proposed resolutions. The Meeting is also a platform to expand cooperation and solidarity among OIC Member States in promoting peace and security for the Ummah and the global community at large, especially amid the current escalating tensions in the Middle East region.

The Foreign Minister will deliver a National Statement highlighting Malaysia’s views and position on issues of common concern under the OIC such as the situation in Palestine and their rights to self-determination, the rise of Islamophobia and any forms of hatred towards any religion, economic cooperation as well as initiatives that have been undertaken by Malaysia in pursuing the objectives of the OIC.

PUTRAJAYA
19 June 2025