UN General Assembly backed Palestinian bid for membership in May, but it still needs Security Council approval Palestine has had non-member observer state status since 2012, which does not include right to vote JAKARTA: Indonesia and Malaysia vowed on Wednesday to continue seeking justice for the people of Gaza and to support Palestine’s bid for full UN membership. The Southeast Asian neighbors are among the staunchest supporters of Palestinian statehood, with their officials consistently calling for a permanent ceasefire since the start of Israel’s deadly onslaught on Gaza in October, and for the implementation of the two-state solution in Palestine. During a meeting in Malaysia’s administrative capital of Putrajaya, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed their commitment to defend Palestine on the international stage. “Our conversation touched on the issue of Palestine, with both nations reaffirming our unwavering support for justice for the people of Gaza and the acceptance of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations,” Ibrahim wrote on X after the talks. Marsudi said in a statement after the meeting that Indonesia and Malaysia had the “same concerns toward the situation in Palestine” where Israeli airstrikes and ground offensives have killed in excess of 37,900 Palestinians and wounded more than 87,100 people. “Both nations also have strong commitments to support Palestinian independence,” she said. “Indonesia will continue with efforts to ensure an immediate and permanent ceasefire, to deliver humanitarian aid without hindrance, and preparations for the creation of a Palestinian state, including the issue of acceptance and full membership at the UN.” In May, Indonesia and Malaysia voted at the UN General Assembly in support of a Palestinian bid to become a full member of the world body. The General Assembly resolution, which was approved by a vote of 143-9 with 25 abstentions, also called on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s request to become a UN member, after its previous bid was vetoed by the US in April. Palestine has had a non-member observer state status since 2012, which allows it some rights short of a full membership that would allow it to cast a vote. Under the UN Charter, admission of prospective members must first be approved by the 15-member Security Council, before it goes for another round of voting at the General Assembly.