Over RM375,000 credited to Palestine trust fund, says Deputy Foreign Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Approximately RM375,000 has been credited to the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP) as of November, says Datuk Mohamad Alamin.

The Deputy Foreign Minister then said that USD80,000.00 (RM375,640) has been distributed through several channels in the first half of 2023; the Ministry of Waqf and Islamic Affairs of Jordan, the Malaysian Embassy in Jordan, and the Palestinian Ministry of Education.

He added that RM200,000 has been handed over to the Global Peace Mission NGO for development in Gaza in Palestine

"However, when the Israel-Palestine conflict erupted on Oct 7, Malaysia increased the aid channel through AAKRP," said Mohamad.

He added that at the second meeting of the AAKRP Account Committee in 2023, an initial contribution of RM10mil was decided to be allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

He said the contribution is meant to assist the severely-affected people of Gaza due to Israeli attacks.

"As of Nov 13, 2023, a total of RM32,755,857.08 has been credited to AAKRP," he said in a parliamentary written reply to Dr Mohamed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani.)

Mohamed Taufiq had asked Wisma Putra to reveal the amount of aid that has been allocated to the Palestinian government since the formation of the Federal Government to help alleviate the burden faced by the Palestinian people.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said that in line with Malaysia's foreign policy, the country will consistently provide strong support to the Government of Palestine and its people under any circumstances as this is one of its core focus points.

"Malaysia's unwavering support is evident across all aspects, including political, economic, financial aid, as well as capacity development, including infrastructure reconstruction," he said.

Mohamad then said that the contributions and assistance from the Malaysian Government are channeled through various means, whether bilaterally, regionally, or through multiple channels.

"Alhamdulillah, our contributions have continuously assisted our brothers and sisters in Palestine," added Mohamad.

Aside from the government aid, Malaysia also contributes to humanitarian efforts through funds collected from public donations.

"Since 2002, Wisma Putra has overseen the AAKRP, established under subsection 9(1) of the Financial Procedure Act 1957," he said.

The aim of the fund is to collect and coordinate all humanitarian contributions from the Malaysian people to the Palestinians and subsequently distribute these contributions through methods deemed appropriate by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Fighting has continued at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Thursday (Nov 16), while the UN Human Rights office has warned of fuel depletion in Gaza.

Hospitals are protected in times of war under international humanitarian law, but Israel had continued with its attack at the medical facility.