1st LD: Malaysia voices opposition, urges U.S. to reconsider decision on Jerusalem

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia on Thursday voiced opposition and urged the United States to reconsider its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

In a speech delivered at the annual gathering of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO), Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said:"We strongly reject the suggestion forever to make Jerusalem the capital of Israel."

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in the latest statement that the country is "extremely concerned" over the U.S. announcement, saying that the decision would "jeopardize all efforts made towards finding a comprehensive and lasting resolution of Palestinian question."

"It has grave repercussions not only towards the security and stability of the region, but also inflame Muslim sentiments worldwide, hence making efforts to address violent extremism and radicalization narrative all the more difficult," said the statement.

Any attempts to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, establishing or transferring any diplomatic mission to the city are considered aggression against the Arab and Islamic Ummah (Islamic community), infringements on the rights of Muslims and Christians alike and on the Palestinian people's national rights, as well as a grave breach of the international law along with the UN Security Council's relevant resolutions, said the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

"Malaysia urges the United States to reconsider its decision," it said.

Shahriman Lockman, Senior Analyst at Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said Donald Trump's decision would have repercussions beyond the Middle East.

In Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, which are two Muslim-majority countries, there will be considerable public pressure to keep a distance from the United States. Enditem