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PM: 'Not helpful' if Australia moves embassy to Jerusalem

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has described Australia's plan to move its embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as unhelpful, as it could add to the causes of terrorism.

Mahathir pointed this out today during his bilateral meeting Thursday with his Australian counterpart Scott John Morrison on the sidelines of the 33rd Asean Summit and Related Summits here.

“I pointed out that in dealing with terrorism one has to know the cause. 

"Adding to the cause of terrorism is not going to be helpful. I pointed that out,” he told reporters when met after the meeting.

However, Mahathir added Australian has not made a decision yet to move its embassy from Tel Aviv and “they are looking into it,” he said.

The United States’ announcement in June that it would move its embassy to Jerusalem sparked massive protests in Gaza, which saw more than 50 Palestinians killed.

Morrison, who took over as the prime minister in August, has said that he is “open to” following the move, describing it as a “sensible” proposal.

Both Mahathir and Morrison (photo) will attend the 13th East Asia Summit later Thursday.

 

During the bilateral meet, Mahathir said he also spoke a lot about education.

The discussion touched on “the fact that there are Australian universities in Malaysia" and how the country can help those from low-income groups obtain an education there.

Among the top Australian universities in Malaysia are Monash University, Curtin University and Swinburne University of Technology.

Asked whether he raised the matter of the possible extradition of former policeman Sirul Azhar Umar to Malaysia, Mahathir replied in the negative.

Mahathir had previously said that the death sentence imposed on Sirul may be commuted to allow Australia to extradite the former police officer to Malaysia.

Under Australian law, a person cannot be extradited if there is a chance he or she would face the death penalty.

Together with his colleague Azilah Hadri, Sirul was convicted of the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu in Malaysia and sentenced to death in 2009.

- Bernama

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