Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday thanked Mahathir
Mohamad for again speaking in support of the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir,
as the former Malaysian prime minister vowed to continue to raise the issue of
New Delhi's "injustices" in the disputed region.
"I want to thank Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad for
speaking in support of Kashmiris and against Indian repression in IIOJK (Indian
illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir) — this time at a function on 8 Aug to
mark a year of the illegal Indian actions in IIOJK," Imran wrote on
Twitter.
His statement followed a series of tweets by nonagenarian
Mahathir, who defended his right to speak up against India's human rights
violations in occupied Kashmir, saying doing so would be to "stand up for
humanity".
Also read: At 95, Mahathir still punching
in Malaysia's political fray
"I had chosen to speak out despite being aware of
the potential backlash," Mahathir, 95, wrote, referring to his remarks at last
year's United Nations General Assembly where he criticised India's
"invasion" of occupied Kashmir. His criticism led to backlash from
India, Malaysia's largest importer of palm oil, in the form of order
cancellations and import bans.
On Friday, Mahathir in an interview with WION news
outlet admitted that relations between Malaysia and India had deteriorated because
of his comments on Kashmir.
"To my mind, keeping quiet is not an option when all
the tell-tale signs were pointing towards another situation whereby a big and
powerful country imposed its will with impunity on a small and defenceless
nation," he tweeted, referring to India's repression in occupied Kashmir.
Mahathir, who announced on Friday he was setting up a new political
party as he seeks to take on the government, said the developments that
transpired following his "contentious speech" at the UNGA "only
served to prove that what I had said [was] mild and to a certain degree,
restrained".
"I offer no apology for what I had said though I am
sorry that it had affected our palm oil export to India. I don’t know if that
is a high price to pay for speaking out against such injustices," he
added.
He said now that he is no longer the prime minister
"I take it that I can now speak without restrain and address the Kashmir
issue without threats of boycotts and such".
Mahathir, the world’s oldest leader until his resignation
in February, suggested he would speak about the issue at an event in Kuala
Lumpur about “Kashmir's one year lockdown since August 5, 2019".
His remarks come three days after Pakistan observed Yaum-i-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation) on August
5 to mark one year since India revoked the semi-autonomous status of occupied
Kashmir, split it into two federal territories and imposed strict movement
restrictions and a communication blockade in the region.
Speaking at the UNGA in September, Mahathir had said that
despite UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, the territory had been invaded and
occupied.
“There may be reasons for this action but it is still
wrong. The problem must be solved by peaceful means. India should work with
Pakistan to resolve this problem,” he had stressed.
He had also criticised a
new citizenship law in India that excludes Muslim immigrants. In retaliation
for his comments, India, the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil for five
years, put curbs in January on purchases from Kuala Lumpur.
Mahathir had later defended his
criticism of India, saying although Malaysia was concerned about India’s curbs
on imports of palm oil after the diplomatic row, he would continue to speak out
against “wrong things” even if it cost his country financially.
