Malaysia not looking for a fight in Jerusalem, says Hishammuddin

Future in the bag: Hishammuddin chatting with student recipients of the stationary gifts after the PerkasaPerwira campaign at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut, Perak. — Bernama

LUMUT: Malaysian troops are ready to serve in Jerusalem, not for war but to ensure peace and stability in Palestine, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

“Whatever action we take is not to do battle, but to ensure peace and stability in the region, to ensure there is no turbulence and to ensure the image of Islam is not tarnished by the jaundiced perception of irresponsible quarters,” he said.

Recently, the editorial of the JewsNews portal teased about the news on the readiness of Malaysian troops to contribute an appropriate role in the issue of Jerusalem.

An attachment stated “We could destroy Malaysia in one second”, which led to an exchange of words among netizens on social media.

Hishammuddin, who is also Minister with Special Functions in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Malaysia monitored developments not only in Palestine but also in other Middle Eastern countries such as Syria, Iraq, Qatar, Yemen and Lebanon.

“This is because Malaysia has peacekeeping forces under the auspices of the United Nations,” he said.

He advised people not to sensationalise the issue.

“The enemies of Islam want us to be split up, to fight among ourselves.

“This is not the way of Malaysia, or the way of our armed forces.

We hold fast to principles and global values,” he said.

Hishammuddin also touched on the concept of wasatiyyah (moderation) and said the stand of the armed forces was clear, in that it was undivided when it came to matters related to Islam.

He was speaking after launching the transformed Mutiara Armada Complex and the #PerkasaPerwira campaign at Dewan Shariff at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut yesterday.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Chief of Defence Forces Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and Perbadanan Perwira Niaga Malaysia (Pernama) chairman Gen (Rtd) Tan Abdul Aziz Zainal were also present.

At the event, Hishammuddin launched the Pernama network of goods, the Capasa (Care for Partner Satisfaction Card) multipurpose card for online purchases and handed school uniforms to children of armed forces personnel and veterans. — Bernama