LUMUT: Malaysian soldiers will only be deployed to Palestine or other West Asian countries for peacekeeping missions, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
This, he stressed, would only be done upon a request by the United Nations.
“Our soldiers will only be there for a peacekeeping mission, not for war.
“Malaysia's stand in maintaining peace and stability is clear. We want the region to be conflict-free and that there is no negative image of Islam being portrayed by certain quarters," Hishammuddin told a press conference after launching the Mutiara Armada Complex transformation campaign at the Royal Malaysian Navy base, here today.
Hishammuddin, who is also Special Functions Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, was recently on a three-day visit accompanying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to Bahrain.
He said Malaysia is fortunate to have good ties with countries from the region and is regularly updated on the developments there.
“Apart from the issues in Palestine, we also receive latest updates on other countries there including Yemen, Syria, Iraq and especially Lebanon as we play a peacekeeping role there under the United Nation."
He was commenting on his recent statement on Malaysia's willingness to send its troops to Palestine following the move by United States' President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
He also asked that his comment is not blown out of proportion to the extent that it could lead to arguments, as "the enemies would take advantage when Muslims fight with each other".
"This act (of fighting among ourselves) is contrary to Malaysia's principles of moderation or wasatiyyah," he said.
Meanwhile, Hishamuddin, who is Sembrong MP denied claims by DAP's MP Liew Chin Tong that the construction of the new army camp in Segamat was politically-motivated to help Barisan Nasional garner more support in the 14th general election.
“There are many issues raised by the opposition as the election draws near. If the move was politically-motivated, the camp might as well be built in my constituency.
“The construction of army camps in several locations, including Segamat, is part of the government's plan to improve the wellbeing of the servicemen,” he said.
He said such issues, if politicised, could compromise the government's aim at improving infrastructure and housing facilities for them.