GEORGE TOWN, Jan 19 — The government is arranging the repatriation of 127 Palestinians, including 41 injured people who were brought to Malaysia for treatment, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said that the matter was discussed during the Cabinet meeting last week and is being coordinated by the Foreign Ministry in collaboration with the Defence Ministry.
“Both ministries involved will finalise the details soon, and all of them (the Palestinians) are in good health.
“The injured Palestinians have received treatment and requested to return home... so during this ceasefire, it might be the right time for their repatriation,” he told a press conference after the closing ceremony of his ministry’s retreat here today.
The 42-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza came into effect today.
On August 16 last year, Malaysia brought in 127 Palestinians, including 41 patients injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. The injured were transferred to Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, while their relatives were accommodated at the Kuala Lumpur Transit House (WTKL).
Meanwhile, Zahid said Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali apologised over incidents involving Palestinians at WTKL.
“We understand that they (the Palestinians) may be under stress, having stayed in Malaysia for an extended period,” he said.
Two incidents were reported, one on January 5 and another in October last year.
In another development, Zahid, who is also Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH) chairman, said the government tasked the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), and the Royal Malaysia Police with investigating the recent controversy over a “ham sandwich”.
“The immediate closure of two retail outlets on campus that sold the ham sandwich by a public university was a swift action. As MPIH chairman, I have coordinated with Jakim and made recommendations to ensure matters concerning religion are handled with care to prevent such issues.
“I hope this matter is not blown out of proportion, as the retail chain has proactively withdrawn the product. This might have been an error, and we hope it serves as a valuable lesson,” he said.
On January 15, Jakim director-general Datuk Sirajuddin Suhaimee was reported as saying that an inspection conducted with KPDN on January 10 found the “Ham and Cheese Sandwich” product lacked a Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM), and that the company producing the product is not an SPHM holder.
— Bernama
