Arya News - Malaysia`s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin reiterated that the country`s long-standing policy of not recognising Israel remains unchanged – despite calls by several United States congressmen to review its bilateral ties with Malaysia.
JOHOR BARU – Malaysia’s long-standing policy of not recognising Israel remains unchanged, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic).
The Defence Minister said this was despite calls by several United States congressmen for Washington to suspend military training programmes and review bilateral ties with Malaysia.
“Our policy regarding Israel has existed for a long time. If there are Israeli citizens involved, then any action taken is simply the implementation of a policy that Malaysia has always upheld,” he told reporters after officiating the Pasir Gudang Umno division delegates’ meeting here yesterday.
Mohamed Khaled was responding to reports that eight US congressmen had urged the US administration to freeze military training programmes and reassess bilateral relations with Malaysia unless Putrajaya reversed its policy of identifying and deporting Israeli citizens.
The issue arose following investigations into the operations of Network School in Forest City, where authorities are probing allegations of non-compliance with local regulations and the possible involvement of Israeli nationals.
Mohamed Khaled said the views expressed by the US lawmakers were a matter between them and their government.
“If the American government decides to freeze such programmes, that is up to them.”
Mohamed Khaled stressed that military cooperation between Malaysia and the United States would continue as usual.
“Our officers are still attending courses and training programmes in the United States. Some courses last a year, one-and-a-half years or even two years,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that Malaysia received US military funding under such training programmes.