DR Mahathir Mohamad has urged Najib Razak’s administration to take more stern and “meaningful” action in protesting against the US decision to make Jerusalem the Israeli capital.

“Opposition parties can only demonstrate. But governments can act meaningfully,” the former prime minister said on his blog, chedet.cc.

“Umno’s demo together with PAS can be meaningful only if it results in the Barisan Nasional gvernment acting against President Donald Trump and the US,” he said, referring to a rally planned for later today.

Trump’s announcement of the decision earlier this month has triggered worldwide protests.

Jerusalem, a city holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is at the centre of negotiations for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, who are claiming East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

Najib has invited opposition politicians and ordinary Malaysians to demonstrate against the US decision after Friday prayers in Putrajaya.

Dr Mahathir, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, said instead of just holding the rally, the Najib administration should emulate Turkey, which has expressed hope that it will soon be able to open an embassy to a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, by setting up a Malaysian consulate accredited to the Palestinian government in the holy city.

“The Malaysian government must also vote in favour of a draft United Nations resolution condemning the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.”

He said Najib should also rescind a statement made when he visited Trump in September.

The prime minister reportedly said the US’ enemies were also Malaysia’s enemies.

“The US regards Palestine as its enemy. Malaysia must assure the world that Palestine is not our enemy, that we are in favour of Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine,” said Dr Mahathir.

Yesterday, the UN General Assembly approved by a resounding vote a motion rejecting the US decision.

The 193-member assembly adopted the resolution by 128 to nine with 35 abstentions, in what Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour called a “massive setback” for the US. – December 22, 2017.