Malaysia Considers Mediating Sudan's Conflict

JAKARTA - The Malaysian government is considering taking on a role as a mediator or facilitator in peace efforts in Sudan.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said Sudan's issue needed to be discussed in detail, because the ongoing conflict in Sudan also had an impact on Malaysia's interests.

"This is also our priority to see the country again at peace. Malaysia has a very big interest in Sudan. Our Petronas exists," he said in front of the Malaysian People's Council at the Malaysian Parliament, Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, November 6.

Mohamad Alamin said Malaysia has experience in mediating a number of conflicts, including acting as a facilitator of peaceful negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia.

He said efforts to facilitate the peace of Thailand-Kamboja were even appreciated by the leaders of the two countries.

"With our experience as mediators and facilitators between Cambodia and Thailand, maybe we will consider this to be a facilitator and mediator on the Sudan issue," he said.

Previously, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia received a number of questions from members of the Malaysian Parliament, one of which was related to the possibility of Malaysia taking advantage of the position and good relations in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to lead the peace initiative for Sudan.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to Malaysia Hassan Abdel Salam Omer himself has said Sudan considers Malaysia a trusted partner and a leading voice in advocated for global peace.