24 minutes
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was merely making remarks about conflicts in Jammu and Kashmir so that the countries involved in the conflict can resolve their problems amicably.
“We must know how to overcome this problem (Jammu and Kashmir conflict). When we make remarks, we are not targeting specifically anyone but we only want both parties to negotiate and not resort to violence,” he told reporters at the Paliament lobby, here today.
Mahathir said it is Malaysia’s policy not to resort to violence but to resolve issues through negotiations, arbitration and the court of law.
“I raised this issue with Modi (India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi) when we met in Vladivostok.
“My speech (at the United Nation General Assembly) was a follow-up where we don’t want to see any violence and that any dispute between countries should be solved amicably,” he added.
When asked whether the boycott issue would impact trade between Malaysia and India, Mahathir said: “I don’t think so.”
The #BoycottMalaysia hashtag went trending on Twitter after Mahathir, in his speech during the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sept 27, spoke about the need to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir conflict.
The issue arose when Turkey and China raised the Jammu and Kashmir matter at the UNGA, leading to Mahathir supporting the two countries.
Mahathir had said, “Now, despite a UN (United Nations) resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, the country has been invaded and occupied. There may be reasons for this action but it is still wrong. The problem must be solved by peaceful means. India should work with Pakistan to resolve this problem. Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and the Rule of Law.“
The report said his statement, particularly related to “the country has been invaded and occupied” has not been well received by netizens in India and prompted the call for a boycott against Malaysia.
