MPs group pushes for more govt efforts to support Palestinian refugees here

GEORGE TOWN: The government has been urged to align its domestic and foreign policies by taking steps to help and protect Palestinian refugees in Malaysia.

Bipartisan MP grouping the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on Refugee Policy said in a statement most of the Palestinian refugees here are from Gaza and fear for their families back home.

Its chairman Syerleena Abdul Rashid urged the government to issue a Special Pass for all Palestinians in Malaysia which allows temporary stay and work.

"(The government should also) start the implementation of the amended National Security Council Directive No. 23, which will grant temporary rights to refugees in Malaysia.

She said that the international community – including Malaysia – must rally together, fortifying humanitarian efforts and ensuring that emergency aid reaches those in dire need.

"The world must come together, not just to provide relief, but to actively champion the causes of peace, justice and accountability.

"Here in Malaysia, we must take urgent steps to formulate policies that protect those who have sought temporary refuge on our shores, including those from Palestine," she added on Tuesday (Oct 24).

The Bukit Bendera MP said Malaysia must engage in diplomatic channels to push for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians, immediate unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, the end of Israel’s occupation of Gaza, and a renewed focus on restarting a political process and addressing the root causes of the conflict.

"We must not fail the people of Palestine again.

"We call for an immediate ceasefire, the urgent protection of civilians, the facilitation of unimpeded humanitarian aid, and the prevention of full-scale genocide in Gaza.

"Our core values as Malaysians – solidarity, compassion and humanity – compel us to stand now with the people of Gaza," she added.

Syerleena said according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, over 70% of the thousands killed in Gaza since Oct 7 were women and children.

"More than 1,000 people remain missing under the rubble of Israeli bombardments.

"International Humanitarian Law, including the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols designed to protect civilians, the sick, wounded, and civilian facilities like hospitals and schools during times of armed conflict, are being breached with impunity, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"The lack of distinction being made between civilians and combatants is taking a horrific toll. The number of internally displaced persons in the Gaza strip has now surpassed a million people," she said.

She then said that there is an urgent need to call on both the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice to hold Israel to account for war crimes, crimes against humanity and for any breaches of international laws as well.