Ngos Should Involve Wisma Putra When Coordinating Gaza Aid Delivery

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Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia’s diplomatic ties with countries neighbouring Palestine, such as Egypt and Jordan, can be utilised to seek cooperation and assistance. - BERNAMA PICREMBAU: The Foreign Ministry has advised non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that wish to channel aid to Gaza to coordinate their efforts with Wisma Putra to ensure that the process is managed smoothly and safely.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia's diplomatic ties with countries neighbouring Palestine, such as Egypt and Jordan, can be utilised to seek cooperation and assistance.
He said some NGOs, such as Sumud Nusantara, have long been involved in actively disseminating aid to Palestinians, and even have a warehouse in Egypt.
"In any case (when disseminating aid), ensure that Wisma Putra is informed. We would then relay this to the Egyptian authorities that an NGO would be launching an operation to deliver aid to Gaza.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan presented Deepavali and education aid to more than 1,000 recipients at the Rantau Community Hall this evening. - NSTP/Mohd Amin Jalil."Through Rafah, we would then inform our Jordanian counterparts to facilitate the process. These NGOs should also channel aid via a coalition instead of individually, which could become haphazard," he said.
Mohamad was speaking to reporters after presenting Deepavali aid and educational material to the people at the Rantau multipurpose hall here today.
On the 20-point Gaza peace plan, Mohamad said Malaysia was generally in favour of it, but noted that many of the items proposed by the United States were in Israel's favour.
"Although many of the 20 points were not in Hamas' favour and mostly sided with Israel, we are nevertheless grateful that Hamas has agreed to it.
"Had Hamas not agreed to the plan, I do not see any more opportunities for the Palestinians, specifically in Gaza, to receive any more international aid. They would instead continue to be brutalised and killed.
"Alhamdulillah (Thank god), Hamas agreed to the terms. They are releasing all the surviving hostages," he said.
Mohamad, who is also Rembau member of parliament, said Malaysia will continue to play a proactive role in persuading the United Nations to convene an emergency session to ensure the creation of an independent Palestinian state, with the endorsement of the UN Security Council.
"Malaysia's priority right now, apart from delivering aid, is to continue to pressure the UN on the formation of a Palestinian state.
"I hope that none of the UN Security Council members will use their veto power to cancel out these efforts," he said. - NST

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