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Tok Mat: Palestinians brought here will not stay permanently

KUALA LUMPUR: The 127 Palestinians, including the 47 injured brought into Malaysia last week, will not stay in the country permanently, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan.

Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, also gave his assurance that the Palestinians will not be sent to other states in the country.

"There were ministers who were worried that we will send them (the Palestinians) to reside in their states. No such thing. Please do not worry.

"We decided to bring them here and treat those who are injured because we, as a nation, feel for their sufferings.

"There is a need to (be) compassionate to those who are suffering," he told reporters after he launched the Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno delegates conference today.

Mohamad, fondly known as Tok Mat, said the Palestinians were brought into the country following good ties and agreement between Malaysian and Palestinians.

"They do not want to leave their country. They want to die on their home soil.

"But we decided to offer help in the form of medical treatment.

"There is no question (about) these people staying here for long. They want to go back (to Palestine)," he said.

The Palestinians, flown into the country on two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft, arrived in Malaysia from Almaza Air Base in Egypt on Aug 16.

The mission was undertaken following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement at the Palestine Solidarity Rally on Aug 4 in Kuala Lumpur where he said that the country will provide medical treatment to injured Palestinian civilians.

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