South East Asian jihadi conflicts have not been motivated by the Israel- Palestine issue,but Penny Wong's recognition of Palestine will strengthen HAMAS and its ability to finance and arm local jihadis

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

Hamas Terror Cell Received Advanced Training in Malaysia

South East Asian jihadi conflicts   have not been motivated by the Israel- Palestine issue. That is a matter of history, which Penny Wong should understand better than most given her home state Sabah's role in providing a base for Muslim Bangsamoro rebels who fought the Philippines Government for control of Mindanao. 

Then there is the ongoing insurgency in Southern Thailand ,where Muslim Pattani rebels are trying to create a new Muslim state, more closely aligned to Malaysia.

Closer to home in Indonesia the situation, at best, remains fluid, with jihadis  driven by local and regional objectives. 

None of these have been mtoivated by the Israel-Palestine conflict,  but Penny Wong's recognition of Palestine will strengthen HAMAS and its ability to finance and arm local jihadis.HAMAS has made clear that it considers Malaysia its gateway to Asia. 

To Be Read With 

Friday, April 12, 2024

Penny Wong consulted Malaysia about recognising a Palestinian state -Malaysia does not recognise Israel's right to exist, Malaysian government and media's word for Israel is "Zionist Regime"

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

                 Penny Wong and Anwar Ibrahim

As reported by the AFR:

Foreign Minister Penny Wong canvassed extensively with a series of international counterparts, including UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and ministers from key Muslim countries before announcing Australia could potentially recognise Palestinian statehood.

Over the past month or so, Senator Wong has spoken to foreign ministers from Egypt and Jordan – the first two Arab countries to recognise neighbouring Israel – as well as a slew of South-East Asian ministers at Melbourne’s ASEAN summit, including Malaysia and Indonesia, two big international champions of the Palestinian cause.

Malaysia's does not recognise Israel's right to exist. That determination is reflected in  Malaysian government and media statements in which  even the  word  Israel is forbidden. The word  "Zionist Regime" is used instead.

As reported previously, Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim (who effectively runs the government, over-riding his ministers) has insisted that he will always support HAMAS. 

Wong cannot but be at least aware that her two state proposal really means the end of Israel as it currently exists.

Friday, April 12, 2024

Albanese and Wong may fantasise about a Gaza , Palestine without HAMAS , but HAMAS will be active in Asia, and Australia - In 2019 Hamas said considers Malaysia its gateway to Asia

by Ganesh Sahathevan



Labor ignored warning of UNRWA links to Hamas -The Australian 

As reported by the AFR:

Foreign Minister Penny Wong canvassed extensively with a series of international counterparts, including UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and ministers from key Muslim countries before announcing Australia could potentially recognise Palestinian statehood.

Over the past month or so, Senator Wong has spoken to foreign ministers from Egypt and Jordan – the first two Arab countries to recognise neighbouring Israel – as well as a slew of South-East Asian ministers at Melbourne’s ASEAN summit, including Malaysia and Indonesia, two big international champions of the Palestinian cause.

Meanwhile in Malaysia 

"I said that we, as a policy, have a relationship with Hamas from before and this will continue"-Anwar ibrahim

Hamas considers Malaysia its gateway to Asia