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CNA
14 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore prepared to contribute to Gaza reconstruction once permanent ceasefire reached
SINGAPORE: Singapore said on Tuesday (Jul 29) that in the longer term, it is prepared to contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza once a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) deputy secretary for Asia-Pacific Kevin Cheok delivered Singapore's national statement at a United Nations conference in New York about the peaceful settlement of Palestine and the implementation of a two-state solution. He said that Singapore supports the Egypt-proposed Arab Reconstruction Plan and its vision for reconstruction in Gaza. The proposal would sideline Hamas and replace it with interim bodies controlled by Arab, Muslim and Western states. The plan, a counter to US President Donald Trump's ambitions for Gaza as a "riviera", firmly rejects the US proposal for mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. This is the first time Singapore has publicly thrown it support behind Egypt's proposal. The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and Britain said earlier this year that they supported the plan. In his statement to the UN, Mr Cheok said Singapore remains committed to helping to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. To date, Singapore has contributed more than US$17 million in monetary and in-kind assistance, and has worked with its regional partners and relief organisations to do what it can to help. "Looking ahead, we are considering the deployment of a medical team to the region to help treat patients from Gaza," said Mr Cheok. The country also remains committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority's capacity-building efforts through its US$7 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package, Mr Cheok said. As part of this effort, the number of scholarships for Palestinians to study in Singapore universities has been increased. It will also launch two new initiatives next year. Singapore will collaborate with Japan to train Palestinian Civil Police officers in community policing. It will also launch a young leaders' programme to share its experiences in public administration and governance. "We hope that these efforts will help prepare Palestinians for their eventual statehood." VIOLATION OF HUMANITARIAN LAW At the UN, Mr Cheok reiterated Singapore's comments on the situation in Gaza and again called for a ceasefire and for Hamas to release all remaining hostages immediately and unconditionally. "What we are witnessing in Gaza today is heartbreaking. The denial of humanitarian aid is causing starvation and a dire lack of essential medical services," he said. "The reports of people being shot whilst desperately trying to access food are shocking. This is unconscionable and a violation of international humanitarian law." He called on the Israeli government to immediately lift all restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and said the UN and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must be allowed to resume their aid missions unimpeded. "We must do all we can to prevent a further loss of life on both sides." Singapore has "consistently supported the right of the Palestinians to their own homeland based on a negotiated two-state solution", Mr Cheok said. "We firmly believe that this is the only viable pathway to achieving a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to this longstanding conflict. To this end, we are prepared in principle to recognise the State of Palestine." Singapore's key consideration is that such a move "should help progress" towards peace and a negotiated two-state solution. "There must be an effective Palestinian government in place, that also categorically renounces terrorism and accepts Israel's right to exist," said Mr Cheok. He added that Singapore welcomes a letter from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, dated Jun 9, that reiterated "the Palestinian Authority's continued rejection of violence and terrorism, its longstanding recognition of Israel's right to exist, and its commitment to the implementation of its reform agenda". Singapore hopes that these commitments can be implemented fully, said Mr Cheok. It also urged Israelis and Palestinians to "return to the negotiating table and make necessary, albeit difficult, concessions". "To continue on the current trajectory will only make the goal of peace even more difficult to achieve, and result in an endless cycle of mutual hatred and violence," said Mr Cheok.
Malaysian Reserve
18-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
New Zealand seeks associate membership in ASEAN Halal Council
NEW ZEALAND has expressed its interest in joining the ASEAN Halal Council as an associate member, signalling a strong commitment to strengthening halal cooperation with Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal was raised during several meetings with New Zealand government officials and members of the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. 'This is a positive development that opens wider avenues for collaboration within the halal ecosystem—not only between our two nations but across the region,' he said. 'In several of these discussions, New Zealand also agreed to position Malaysia as a strategic hub for the distribution of its halal products to ASEAN markets, as well as to traditional markets with established Malaysian trade links,' he added. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, told reporters at the conclusion of his five-day working visit to New Zealand on Saturday (Friday in Malaysia). Also present were Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Undersecretary for the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division, John K. Samuel. As the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, Ahmad Zahid noted that the participation of non-ASEAN countries such as New Zealand in regional halal platforms would enhance the alignment of standards and further ensure the global marketability of halal-certified products. Malaysia, he said, is prepared to act as a regional halal hub, offering New Zealand companies access to the ASEAN market through various collaborative initiatives, including participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS). He confirmed that New Zealand has agreed to participate in MIHAS, scheduled to be held in September, and will also be involved in business matching sessions with industry players from Malaysia and other participating countries. The five-day visit, which began on July 14, focused on enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment, and halal industry development. — BERNAMA
Leaders
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Makkah Foreign Affairs Director Welcomes Russian OIC Envoy
Fareed Al-Shehri, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Makkah Region branch, received Turko Daudov, the Russian Ambassador to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), today in Jeddah. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest. Related Topics : King Salman stresses (OIC) role in uniting Islamic countries Iranian FM to Attend Arab League, OIC Meetings in Istanbul GCC Secretary-General Receives Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia US-Russian Talks Shift to Moscow Amid Rising Tensions Short link :
Barnama
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Cambodia Invites Thailand To Settle Border Dispute At ICJ
Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs of Cambodia Lam Chea (right), and Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs' border affairs advisor, Prasas Prasasvinitchai. Photo credit: The conclusion of the sixth Joint Border Commission meeting between Cambodia and Thailand in Phnom Penh on Sunday. Photo credit: Agence Kampuchea Presse By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, June 15 (Bernama) -- Cambodia has invited Thailand to jointly resolve their border dispute at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), describing it as the best option to end the ongoing dispute. Cambodian Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs, Lam Chea, said referring the matter to the ICJ would ensure a fair and impartial solution to the border controversy. bootstrap slideshow He said the four contested areas – comprising Mom Bei and the temple complexes of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch and Ta Krabei – would no longer be included in future meetings of Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). 'Cambodia will begin legal proceedings independently, despite Thailand's rejection of the ICJ's jurisdiction,' he said in a statement after the sixth Cambodia-Thailand JBC meeting here. The two-day meeting, held after a 12-year hiatus, ended on Sunday. Thailand's delegation was headed by Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs' border affairs advisor Prasas Prasasvinitchai. During the meeting, the Cambodian delegation also rejected the map drawn by Thailand. 'In this regard, the Cambodian side categorically rejects the map unilaterally drawn and used by the Thai side, which has been the root cause of past, present and potential future border disputes,' Lam said.
Libya Observer
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Haftar's forces halt Gaza support convoy in Sirte
The Convoy of Steadfastness, a popular, peaceful initiative in support of Gaza, was stopped at the entrance to the city of Sirte by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar. According to a statement by the Joint Coordination for Gaza, eastern Libyan security officials said the convoy must wait for authorization from Benghazi before being allowed to proceed. The convoy urged authorities in Benghazi to honor the supportive stance expressed in the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement issued the previous evening, emphasizing that the Libyan people stand united both East and West in their support for Gaza. The convoy's organizing committee called on all relevant parties to intervene and facilitate the convoy's passage, stressing its humanitarian purpose to challenge the ongoing siege, starvation, and genocide faced by the people of Gaza. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera, citing local sources, reported that internal disputes among eastern Libya's security and military factions are hindering the convoy's progress. A Salafist-leaning military faction is reportedly opposing the convoy's passage outright, while another security force is primarily seeking to prevent only the Libyan youth from continuing with the convoy, fearing potential clashes with armed groups loyal to Haftar along the road to Benghazi. Tunisian activist Jawaher Shanna, speaking to The New Arab, confirmed that participants from Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya remain determined to continue their mission. 'We have already covered 1,000 kilometers to break the siege on our brothers in Gaza,' she said on Thursday. 'Everyone is committed to completing the journey. Our convoy includes human rights defenders, doctors, lawyers, academics, and activists from all backgrounds, and the world knows the humanitarian message we carry', she added. In response to the halt, the convoy's steering body decided to stop by the roadside and, if necessary, camp near the outskirts of Sirte until the situation is resolved, reassuring the families of the participants that everyone is safe and gathered in a single location a few kilometers before Sirte, saying that the current lack of communication is due to mobile network outages in the area where the convoy is stationed.
