PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya will not send troops to Palestine but will focus instead on humanitarian assistance to Palestinians who are affected by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned against provoking the matter, saying it is important for the country to work with the Middle East states, which should “play the prominent roles”.
“Some insist we should send our armed forces but that is not what we will consider for now.
“Our focus is humanitarian assistance,” he said at an event at the Seri Perdana Complex, Putrajaya, where he witnessed corporate contributions to the humanitarian trust fund for the people of Palestine.
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more He said the government had approved RM10 million, and the contributions collected from companies had come to around RM81 million. He said the government expected to reach its goal of collecting RM100 million in the near future.
Anwar said the conflict in Palestine is not an issue of race, rights or a historical battle. It is more of an issue of people being dispossessed of their land, property, and dignity.
Israel declared war on Hamas following the group’s surprise attack on several locations in Israel on Oct 7. More than 3,000 people have been killed on both sides since.
United Nations data shows that at least 1 million people were forced to flee their homes in one week alone, and at least 400,000 displaced persons are now in UN schools and buildings, most of which are not equipped as emergency shelters.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
