KUALA LUMPUR: Claims that the government's efforts to bring injured Palestinians here for treatment are driven by political survival are unfounded.
In a parliamentary written reply, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government has always been concerned about the plight of the oppressed Palestinian people for decades.
"The government condemns the violent actions by Israel Defence Force (IDF) against the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, since Oct 7 last year.
"On humanitarian grounds and in solidarity with innocent Palestinians, the government has taken the initiative to assist some Palestinians affected by the war by providing them with necessary treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation.
"This humanitarian mission is in response to the collapse of the healthcare system in Gaza due to ongoing IDF attacks.
"Therefore, the government believes that this humanitarian aid mission for the Palestinian people is a noble effort that should be supported by all Malaysians, regardless of their religious, ethnic, or political differences," he said in response to Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan).
Sh Mohmed Puzi asked about the government's stance on extreme sentiment that questions its efforts, saying that the action is aimed at political survival.
On the latest development of the treatment and rehabilitation of Palestinians brought into Malaysia for medical purposes, Khaled said 37 patients have been discharged, and four patients remain under treatment as of Oct 6.
Since Aug 16, the ministry, through the armed forces, has brought 41 injured Palestinians along with their 86 relatives to Malaysia.
They were treated at Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital.
On Aug 4, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his speech at 'Himpunan Pembebasan Palestin,' announced that the government would facilitate the treatment of injured Palestinians, particularly women, and children, by bringing them to Malaysia.