REMBAU: Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has advised non-governmental organisations (NGOs) planning to participate in humanitarian missions to Gaza to coordinate with the Foreign Ministry to ensure the smooth and safe delivery of aid.
The Foreign Minister said that Malaysia's diplomatic ties with Egypt and Jordan facilitate aid delivery via the Rafah border crossing, connecting Gaza with Egypt, and the King Hussein Bridge crossing between the West Bank and Jordan.
"To NGOs and individuals eager to help the oppressed people of Gaza, I say thank you. However, for delivering aid, it's best that we do it as a group, not in a haphazard way or as individuals.
"Get them (the NGOs) to inform Wisma Putra (the Foreign Ministry) and then we would inform Egypt and Jordan about the NGOs or operations to deliver food and such to Gaza. This will facilitate matters," he told reporters after handing over education and Deepavali contributions to more than 1,000 recipients here, on Sunday (Oct 12).
He added that some Malaysian NGOs, including Sumud Nusantara, have been operating for a long time in the region and had their own a warehouse for storing aid in Egypt and were active in delivering food to Gaza before the closure of the Rafah border crossing.
On the Gaza peace plan, Mohamad, who is also the Rembau MP, said Malaysia welcomes the decision by Hamas to agree to the proposal, calling it a "small window" for delivering humanitarian aid, although the 20 points outlined give more concessions to Israel.
"If Hamas did not agree to the proposal, I see no other opportunity for Gazans to receive international aid. They would be continually assaulted and most likely forced out of Gaza," he said.
Mohamad said Malaysia would continue to push the United Nations (UN) to immediately hold an emergency summit to ensure the establishment of a free Palestine, consistent with the resolution officially endorsed by the UN Security Council.
United States (US) President Donald Trump reportedly announced on Wednesday (Oct 8) that Israel and Palestinian group Hamas have agreed to the first phase of the Gaza peace plan brokered by the US.
Regarding the appearance of heads of states at the 47th Asean Summit slated for this month, Mohamad said decisions were made based on consensus among all Asean member states.
He stressed that Malaysia, as Asean chair, cannot decide unilaterally whether to invite any particular leader or not.
"The thing that has dominated conversations now is the appearance of Trump. I ask the people to understand that it (Trump's appearance) would provide us with ample opportunities to speak directly and discuss many matters beneficial to Malaysia.
"At the same time, we want to ensure that international pressure on Israel continues and the effort to establish a sovereign Palestinian state can be realised soon," he said.
The 47th Asean Summit is slated for the end of this month in Kuala Lumpur. – Bernama
