Wong: Committee should discuss bringing Gaza refugees into M'sia

PARLIAMENT | The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on International Relations and International Trade opines that Malaysia should send a team to the Rafah crossing to vet Gaza refugees and bring them to Malaysia.

The bi-partisan committee chairperson Wong Chen said that the committee would discuss the matter with the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“The most important thing is to get refugees across to Egypt so they are safe. Crossing back to Israel is not safe.

“Thank God the Rafah exit is now open, I think we (Malaysia) can send a team there to the Rafah area to see whether we can help bring some back to Malaysia,” he explained at a press conference in Parliament today.

“I think we will have a discussion (on the matter) with the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” he said.

He was responding to a question on whether Malaysia should follow suit with Scotland to welcome refugees from Gaza.

The Rafah crossing is the southernmost exit post from Gaza and borders Egypt's Sinai peninsula, where Palestinians have been gathering in hopes of escaping.

Earlier, Wong called for the United Nations to be given the mandate to mediate a ceasefire and manage the safe and orderly evacuation of any refugees on their terms.

He added that the committee stood by the government’s support for Hamas and the people of Palestine.

“Like the Malaysian government, we acknowledge that Hamas was democratically elected by the people of Gaza and therefore, has legitimate authority in Gaza.

“We support the Malaysian government’s position and its efforts in holding dialogues with Hamas and other parties to find peaceful resolutions to this severe conflict.

“We would also support our government’s pledge to donate RM100 million in humanitarian aid to all those affected,” he said.

“We are thankful for the opening of the Rafah-Gaza crossing and hope that this development will encourage better regional cooperation towards peace,” he added.

Protesters gather outside US embassy in KL, voice solidarity with Palestinians

No sympathy for Israel, Nazri tells displeased Washington

PAS to highlight solidarity with Palestine at 69th muktamar

COMMENT | From little egrets in Kota Bharu to Palestinian sunbirds in Gaza

Anwar talks to Hamas leader, calls for humanitarian corridor out of Gaza

PM: Sending troops to back Palestine not 'simple decision'

M'sian Armed Forces debunks video of personnel sent to Palestine