US Embassy: Zip it, Dr M
PUCHONG: The US Embassy in Malaysia hit out at Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for urging US President Donald Trump to resign.
In a post on Twitter, the US embassy said that Mahathir’s statement does not reflect the good ties both nations enjoy for a long time.
“The prime minister’s remarks were not in the spirit of the constructive dialogue that has long served as the foundation of US-Malaysia relations,” it said.
Two days ago, Mahathir called for Trump to resign in response to the US government’s proposed peace plan between Israel and Palestine.
The peace plan, which largely favours Israeli demands, has been rejected by Palestine and its allies, including nations from Europe.
“Here is a man who denigrated his role and his policies, trying to use foreign pressure to win elections,” Mahathir was reported saying in a speech at the third conference of the League of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds in Kuala Lumpur.
Upset with Mahathir, the US Embassy reminded the Malaysian government that both nations had flourished in many areas throughout history due to the cordial ties they share with one another.
“Our nations have produced positive outcomes globally and regionally as we had cooperated on issues including security, trade, education, public health and environment,” it said.
This was not the first time Mahathir had enraged a powerful nation with his remarks.
Last year, the nonagenarian criticised the Indian government for its decision on Kashmir and its newly enacted Citizenship Amendment Act, prompting to subcontinent to boycott Malaysia’s palm oil.
The Langkawi MP himself is under pressure to relinquish his post to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after suffering back-to-back by-election losses.
However, Mahathir has remained coy on his power transition plan.
By G Vinod
