PUTRAJAYA, March 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday launched Malaysia’s 30-Container Humanitarian Aid Mission to Gaza, which is expected to benefit more than 100,000 Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
The official flag-off ceremony was held in conjunction with the prime minister’s breaking of fast event with local community leaders at the Seri Perdana Complex here, which was also attended by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The national-scale initiative is led by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM), together with the Nusantara Sumud Coalition, with the full support of the Malaysian government.
In a statement, MAPIM said the mission involves the delivery of 30 large containers weighing a total of 374 tonnes, comprising 14 containers of food supplies, eight containers of flour, and eight containers of hygiene kits.
“The government views the closure of international airspace seriously following heightened tensions in the Middle East, as well as the complete closure of the Rafah border crossing.
“Nevertheless, Malaysia remains firm and consistent in upholding universal humanitarian principles and will not remain silent in the face of civilian suffering,” the statement read.
According to MAPIM, the mission will be implemented in phases, with an advance team scheduled to be deployed to Cairo on March 3.
“This mission demonstrates that the solidarity of the Malaysian people transcends race, religion and political background. Malaysia will continue to stand firmly with the Palestinian people, not merely through words, but through concrete action,” the statement said.
In the same statement, Anwar said the Sumud Land Mission reflects Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to defending the rights, dignity and survival of the Palestinian people.
“We reject all forms of oppression, oppose injustice regardless of the perpetrator, and support efforts towards peace founded on justice and international law,” he said.
Also present at yesterday's event were several Cabinet members, including Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Others in attendance were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, director-general of the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM) Datuk Seri Sollehuddin Alyubi Zakaria, and MAPIM chief executive officer Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby.
