Malaysia Rejects Israel’s ‘Somaliland’ Recognition

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has rejected Israel’s recognition of the “Somaliland” region and expressed opposition to any attempt to use the territory, or any other location, for the forcible transfer or displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia fully aligns itself with the position taken by a broad group of states and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in rejecting Israel’s recognition.

“We express our categorical opposition to any attempt to use “Somaliland,” or any other territory, as a destination for the forcible transfer or displacement of the Palestinian people from Gaza.

“Such notions are wholly unacceptable, violate international law and humanitarian principles, and would further perpetuate injustice rather than contribute to peace. We reject all actions that undermine the international legal order,” he said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on Friday, drawing condemnation from Turkey, a close ally of Somalia, as well as countries in Africa and the Middle East, among others.

Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political and security entity, with the central government struggling to assert control over the region and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.

On Gaza, Anwar noted that recent discussions held in Florida aimed to address the next phase of the peace process, emphasising that any return to large-scale violence must be avoided.

“Let us be clear, there must be no return to large-scale violence. Any resumption would exact an intolerable cost on civilians and further erode already fragile prospects for peace,” he said.

Anwar also reiterated that Israel must be held accountable for its actions and its obligations under international law.

Earlier, media reports stated that United States (US) President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on Monday for crucial talks on moving to the next stage of the fragile Gaza truce plan.

Commenting on Myanmar’s post-election development, Anwra said ASEAN leaders will continue to consider developments with care, including steps underway relating to the political process.

“Any assessment will proceed in a sequenced manner, guided by the need to reduce violence, avoid actions that could deepen divisions or confer premature legitimacy and preserve the possibility of an inclusive and credible pathway forward,” he stated.

Myanmar kicked off its three-phase general elections on Sunday. 

The military-led government, headed by the State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is holding the multiparty general elections almost five years after the nation last went to the polls.

The first phase was held on Dec. 28 in 102 townships, and will be followed by Phase 2 on Jan. 11, 2026, in 100 townships. Phase 3 of the election will take place on Jan. 25, 2026, in 63 townships across the respective regions and states.

Final election results are expected to be announced after the completion of all voting phases.

Myanmar's last general election was held in November 2020.

-- BERNAMA