Malaysia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican told Parliament today that despite the fact that Israeli diplomats for the 9th World Urban Forum were able to visit KL in February this year, our country’s government expressed opposition to the visit.
Unfortunately for Reezal, the Israeli delegation came to Kuala Lumpur at the behest of the United Nation Habitat, and as hosts, Malaysia had to oblige.
The two countries have had no official diplomatic relations since Malaysia’s independence, despite the fact that Israel supported Malaysia’s bid for UN membership, and had previously tried to establish low-level diplomacy between the two countries.
Just like turning down that Tinder date you’re not really into, and that your friends don’t like, Malaysia told Israel “thanks, but no thanks.”
A temporary glastnost between the two in the early ’90s was followed by positively ice-age levels of chilly relations, with then-Prime Minister Mahathir accusing Israeli Zionist agents of undermining Malaysia’s integrity, Islam, and also our currency.
Since then, things have remained at an impasse.
Answering a fellow MP today in the Dewan Rakyat, who asked if our government intends to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in lieu of the visit, Reezal responded:
“We not only expressed our opposition to the invite, but when David Roet (the leading delegate from the group) arrived, he was the only diplomat who was not met at the airport by any officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Malaysian Police did not offer him a security detail.”
Oh SNAP.
Let’s put this into the context that maybe a petty lover of reality TV can understand:
So like, basically every year, 185 countries get together and have a party. This year, Em was like “Babe, let me host. You know my weather is a thousand times better than Sweden in February. #NoShade gurl, you know it’s true!”
Everyone was like – OK – but babe – no drama – you know Izzy is going to be there. That girl turns UP and we can’t stop her.
Em was like – it’s fine (it was not fine). When Izy tuned up, Em was alllll smiling through gritted teeth.
Ooh, she did not even offer that girl a welcome drink upon arrival.
And when Izy asked how to get to the party, Em pretended not to hear, but it’s OK – Izy knows how to use Waze and managed to find her way to the party.
In the end, these two frenemies posted pics up to social media like OMG SO HAPPY TO BE HERE, but as soon as that Izy left, Em was like “That was the ugliest effin’ skirt I have ever seen. As IF we even wanted her here.”
End of story.
