KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Johari Abdul was overcome with emotion as he recounted his meeting with assassinated Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh.
At the 'Himpunan Pembebasan Palestin' today, the Dewan Rakyat Speaker shared with attendees that he had represented Malaysia at the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian in Teheran, Iran.
"When Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) asked me to fly to Teheran to represent Malaysia at the inauguration of Iran's new president, I complied.
"Upon arriving, I met with the Iranian Speaker and President. During the ceremony, Ismail Haniyeh was seated right in front of me.
"After the ceremony ended, he turned around, shook my hand, and the first thing he asked was, 'How is Anwar Ibrahim?'" he said recalling his meeting with Haniyeh.
"I told him Anwar Ibrahim sent his regards. I then expressed my condolences, noting that he had lost 10 family members in April, including three children and a sister.
"Holding my hand, he said, 'My friend, my brother, every human on this earth will die.
"My family is gone, and those who killed them will also go.
"The question is, when we come back to life, how will we face God?'
Johari said Haniyeh then requested him to return and tell Anwar to continue his noble fight for the Palestinian cause.
During Johari's speech, Anwar, who was seated on stage alongside Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was seen wiping away tears as he listened to the story.
"We did not have dinner together. Around 10.30pm, I went to bed, and at midnight, I was awakened by a lot of military activity.
"I asked what had happened, and news came flooding in that Ismail Haniyeh had been killed in his home.
"We offer our prayers that his soul is gathered with the fighters who have left us. May God rest his soul.
"Ismail Haniyeh's message was clear: tell Anwar Ibrahim to continue this struggle," Johari said.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry on July 31 confirmed Haniyeh's death and said that an investigation is underway over the assassination of the Hamas leader.
This attack has prompted worldwide condemnation from leaders expressing their anger.