Malaysia not affected by Trump’s aid threat over anti-Israel move

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 ― Malaysia will not be affected by United States president Donald Trump's threat to cut aid to countries that voted against Washington's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the American ambassador to Malaysia said.

Malaysia had strongly protested the decision and voted, along with 127 other countries, at the United Nations general assembly last December in favour of a resolution rejecting US’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but US ambassador Kamala Shirin Lakhdir was quoted by Sunday Star as saying cooperation between Malaysia and the US were “ongoing”.

“To the best of my knowledge, with the programmes and work we do together, Malaysia is not affected,” Lakhdir told Sunday Star in an exclusive interview that was published today.

“I do not and cannot say specifically what the president was referring to, but to the best of my knowledge, the things we work on with Malaysia are ongoing”.

Malaysia does not receive aid directly, but receives support in the form of “sharing-costs” and joint military training that are partially funded by Washington, Lakhdir revealed.

Trump triggered global anger even from some allies when he defied advice against recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital by moving the American embassy there, a move analysts said had undone decades of efforts to foster peace in the region.

Malaysia responded with an official protest and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak openly said he would not let his “close ties” with Trump overshadow Putrajaya's position on the issue.

Lakhdir acknowledged this in her interview with Sunday Star, but said the two countries enjoy strong relations and suggested that it would not problematic to disagree on policies.

“I'm well aware that the prime minister, the Malaysian government and many Malaysians in general don't agree with the president's decision,” she said.

“I would say I understood that was going to be their decision. I think we are very good partners and friends, so we can have frank conversations when we disagree”.