Photo: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will meet the country's friends on his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the need for meetings with other world leaders over the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Anwar will leave for Riyadh on Thursday (Oct 19) to attend the Asean and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.
“I will discuss with friends of ours such as the UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey if there is a need to hold meetings with other world leaders (on the conflict).
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"Nevertheless, something must be done immediately,” he said during a special explanation on the crisis in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 16).
He slammed western countries for their hypocrisy by taking a tough stance in the Russian-Ukraine crisis but not doing the same with the Palestine-Israel conflict which has enabled “continuous cruelty”.
“In every meeting, they (western countries) want to know if Malaysia will condemn Hamas,” he said.
Anwar said he has stated that Malaysia has long-standing ties with Hamas.
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“Therefore we don’t agree with (western countries) as Hamas won the elections. The people of Gaza chose them to lead,” he said.
Anwar also announced RM100mil aid for Palestine.
He said Malaysia also wanted Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza to enable food and medical aid to be sent.
“Humanitarian aid must be expedited,” he added.
Anwar said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir has been given the mandate to make decisions on humanitarian aid and any collective action with neighbouring countries.
“We were asked if we agree with the actions by any parties to hurt women and children. Our stance is clear: regardless of who it is, we do not agree with any action that inflicts (hurt) on the innocent,” he said.
“If there is no firm action, this will turn into genocide.
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“In the next few days, if the world is unable to (stop the Israeli attacks), it is akin to allowing the mass killing of Palestinians and the people of Gaza,” he said, adding that Malaysia and its partners will do what is necessary.
On criticisms that Malaysia had not deployed military forces, Anwar said there were certain intricacies involved.
“It is not an easy matter to deploy military forces or peacekeepers, or (establish a) humanitarian corridor.
"This must be agreed to by neighbouring countries. Otherwise our planes cannot land.
"I ask for understanding on the matter and to not confuse the people,” he added.
The Asean GCC summit will begin in the Saudi capital on Friday (Oct 20).
