Malaysia will work to ensure the country’s medical experts can enter Gaza to provide healthcare services to the local population following the confirmation of a ceasefire.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he intends to coordinate with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to facilitate entry through the Rafah border.
“Most likely this afternoon, if I can speak with him, I will request that passage be allowed via Egypt, through Rafah, to bring in our medical experts. Instead of bringing Gaza residents here, it is better to send our specialists and aid across through Rafah to assist the Palestinian people,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) in Parliament on Tuesday.
Anwar’s remarks came in response to an additional question from Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) regarding Malaysia’s efforts to send medical volunteers to Gaza, as well as inquiries about criticisms surrounding support for the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FCC), and Thousand Medleens to Gaza (TMTG) missions.
The Prime Minister noted that the safe return of 32 Malaysians from the mission demonstrated Malaysia’s strong diplomatic relations with other countries, even when disagreeing with certain policies.
Touching on the controversy over the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump to the 47th ASEAN Summit later this month, Anwar said Malaysia will use the opportunity to convey its and ASEAN’s stance on Palestine.
“In this matter, all Arab and Islamic countries, as well as Hamas in their letter, want to leverage our relationships to convey certain perspectives. I see this as a mature diplomatic engagement. Yes, sentiment matters, but what benefits does it bring to the people of Gaza? If there is even a small chance, we will discuss and present our proposals properly, God willing, when President Trump visits. That is my firm resolve and position,” he added.
