MELAKA, Oct 19 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed disappointment over opposition leaders who mocked the government’s diplomatic engagements aimed at resolving regional and global conflicts.

As reported by Harian Metro (HM), he questioned the derision directed at him, including being called the “Telephone Prime Minister”, saying such remarks belittled Malaysia’s contributions to international peace efforts.

“These MPs mocked me by calling me the ‘Telephone Prime Minister’, but it was through those phone calls that we helped mediate between Cambodia and Thailand,” he was quoted as saying.

“With those same calls, we joined others in contributing our small part to peace efforts,” Anwar told HM during the closing ceremony of the Madani Rakyat programme at Politeknik Merlimau today.

Anwar said Malaysia was also approached by Qatar to support its initiative to bring together the defence ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan in pursuit of peace.

“As we have good relations with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, we were asked to emphasise and urge the two countries to find a peaceful resolution, which is currently being discussed in Doha, Qatar.

“That’s what we’ve been doing — reaching out to these three countries because we were asked to, even though we’re a small nation. But, Alhamdulillah, we were given that honour,” he said.

According to the daily, Anwar added that Malaysia’s role was limited to diplomatic persuasion, not financial contributions.

“So what’s wrong with that? We’re not sending hundreds of millions of ringgit — we’re only speaking, urging them to work together for peace. And, Alhamdulillah, they are still negotiating today,” he said.

He expressed hope that relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan would be restored, noting that war only brings hardship and suffering to their people.

 Malay Mail – Malaysia