SPEECH BY YB DATO’ SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR MALAYSIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO PALESTINE, UNDER THE INITIATIVE OF[...]

SPEECH BY

YB DATO' SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR MALAYSIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO PALESTINE, UNDER THE INITIATIVE OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN

TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN PUTRA HALL

18 DECEMBER 2024

________________________________________________________________________________________

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, salam sejahtera, and a very good morning.

His Excellency Dato' Sri Amran Mohamed Zin

Secretary-General Ministry of Foreign Affairs

His Excellency Dr. Ismael Maddallah Suliman Maaytah

Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Malaysia

His Excellency Walid Abu Ali

Ambassador of the State of Palestine

His Excellency Ragai Tawfik Said Nasr

Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt

His Excellency Salah Mohamaed Al-Sorour

Ambassador of the State of Qatar

Heads of Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Members of Ops Ihsan,

Media Representatives,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. The situation in Palestine stands as one of the defining issues of our time.

2. The tragic loss of innocent lives, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis, demand our urgent attention and collective moral responsibility.

3. For decades, Palestine has symbolized not only a geopolitical conflict, but also the fight against oppression and inequality.

4. As we stand here, Palestinians are enduring untold suffering. As winter sets in, more than 80% of Palestinian infrastructure has been destroyed or severely damaged- and with the Rafah crossing closed, there is an urgent need for critical humanitarian aid such as blankets, warm clothing, food, clean water, and shelters.

5. Malaysia's commitment to the Palestinian cause is a cornerstone of our foreign policy, grounded in international law, humanitarian law, and human rights.

6. We stand firm with the Palestinian people in their pursuit of self-determination, freedom, and independence.

7. Just last month, during an official visit to Egypt, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and I, urgently made our way to Riyadh to attend the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, to discuss the Two-State Solution and the way forward.

8. At the beginning of this month, our Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister represented Malaysia, at the Cairo Ministerial Conference to Enhance Humanitarian Response in Gaza.

9. We are, and will always be, in support of the Palestinian cause.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

10. Beyond diplomacy, Malaysia has taken tangible steps to support Palestinians, from providing urgent humanitarian aid, to coordinating relief efforts.

11. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established the Committee of the Trust Fund for the Palestinian People, or also known as AAKRP.

12. Since October 2023, AAKRP has successfully collected more than 99 million Malaysian Ringgit.

13. Almost half of this sum has been strategically channelled to key platforms, such as the United Nations' flash appeals, and Ops Ihsan, an initiative led by NGOs working alongside the Egyptian Red Crescent and Palestinian Red Crescent Society, with support from the Egyptian Government.

14. These funds have supported critical initiatives such as the upkeep of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and extended vital assistance to Palestinian students in Malaysia through an initiative by the Ministry of Higher Education - providing them with education, opportunities and a brighter future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

15. Today we are presenting a one-off contribution of 5 million U.S. Dollars to the initiative headed by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

16. This collaboration between Malaysia and Jordan was quickly put into motion when my Jordanian counterpart informed me of His Majesty King Abdullah The Second's plans to spearhead a comprehensive operation that aims to establish an air bridge between Zarqa, Jordan, and the Karni crossing near Gaza.

17. This mission, which is set to run for seven days, will be using Black Hawk helicopters to deliver 238 tonnes of high-value aid to Palestinians- making it easier for the international community to ensure that critical humanitarian aid is safely and efficiently delivered to those in urgent need.

18. Concurrently, this contribution will also assist Jordan in acquiring more trucks that are to be used to enter Gaza via the land route.

19. Whether through air or land, every effort matters, and every penny counts in aiding the Palestinians to survive, rebuild, and reclaim their dignity.

20. This is not just an act of generosity, but a life-saving undertaking for people deprived of basic needs.

21. I thank you to those who have contributed to AAKRP. This act of goodwill is a powerful testament to the extraordinary compassion and generosity of Malaysians.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

22. Malaysia may not be the biggest nation, but our commitment on humanity knows no bounds. Despite the challenges that we face, we firmly believe that every act to stop oppression, no matter how small, has the power to make a meaningful difference.

23. Today, as we formalize our contributions, this ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of unity, compassion, and shared purpose.

24. I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, and partners. Your presence here signifies our collective commitment to justice and humanity.

25. Let us reaffirm today our unwavering support for the Palestinian people as they strive for their right to self-determination and freedom- a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

26. Malaysia remains steadfast in championing their cause for freedom, dignity, and justice and will continue to advocate for their rights on every platform.

27. May Allah SWT guide us all in these noble efforts and grant us the strength to continue this essential work for the benefit of humanity.

28. Thank you, and may peace and blessings be upon you all.

Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah, Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

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