By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Oct 27 — The state government has donated RM1 million to the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP) to show its unwavering support for Palestinians in Gaza.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari handed a mock cheque to the ministry’s West Asia Division undersecretary, Datuk Zahairi Baharim.
“This donation is not just symbolic. In fact, the donation has already been channelled into the fund to support the rising number of Gaza’s oppressed victims,” he said after the handover ceremony at the State Secretariat Building today.
State executive council members were also present during the ceremony.
Amirudin first announced Selangor’s decision to donate RM1 million to the Palestinian people on October 20, saying he hopes the assistance will serve as part of a collective effort by communities and countries globally to uphold justice and oppose violence.
He added the international community has a responsibility to put aside its differences in supporting a ceasefire to allow expedited humanitarian aid safe passage into Gaza.
To date, over 7,000 Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since October 7.
Later, at a press conference, the Menteri Besar said the state government is exploring the possibility of involving its subsidiaries to help Palestinians, including donating medical supplies.
“We recently received a proposal from an organiser who collaborated with us in 2021. At the time, the state government provided funds for ambulances and medical equipment in Gaza.
“We will follow up with them to look at the possibility of also engaging with state subsidiaries because, as far as we are concerned, they (Palestinians) still need additional support, including medical supplies,” he said.
On whether the state government has received any threats or warnings from foreign investors in Selangor following the administration’s open support for Palestine, Amirudin said there have been no such incidents to date.
On Tuesday (October 31), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed he had received multiple threats from Western nations following Malaysia’s firm stand, support, and commitment to defending the rights of the Palestinian people, as well as criticisms levelled against Israel.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari (seated, centre) speaks at the press conference after handing over the RM1 million mock cheque for the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine at the State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam, on October 27, 2023. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI
