Cabinet did not discuss about Palestinian refugees - Ewon

The cabinet did not discuss whether to take in Palestinian refugees or support for Hamas, said United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Ewon Benedick.

According to Sinar Harian, Ewon, who is the entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, said this at a Keningau Upko division event yesterday.

"There are a lot of views among the public on the conflict in the Middle East.

"The cabinet has not discussed any proposals on admitting refugees from Palestine or support for Hamas," he said during his speech.

Ewon (above) said his party's view was that Putrajaya should focus on the underprivileged domestically, especially in Sabah.

He said Putrajaya should also take heed of lessons learnt from the past in admitting refugees, especially those from the Philippines.

He said he would share Sabah's experience if the matter was brought up in the cabinet.

"Based on the statistics, eight of Malaysia's poorest districts are in Sabah. Humanitarian and government aid should be focused on these areas to address poverty," he said.

In recent weeks, some figures in Sarawak and Sabah have been expressing opposition to admitting Palestinian refugees because charity should start at home.

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