DEFENCE Minister Mohamad Hasan said the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) was ready to send peacekeepers to Palestine.

“Although there has been no decision on the matter from the United Nations, we are ready and the ministry is closely following developments in Palestine and cooperating with the Foreign Ministry,” he said when winding up the Supply Bill 2024 debate for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohamad said Malaysia needs input from countries in the troubled region before sending troops to Palestine.

He said he would bring up Palestine issues at the Asean defence ministers’ meeting next week.

Mohamad said Malaysia has been committed to universal peace under the UN banner, which was proven through its involvement in 37 missions as an observer or peacekeeper.

He said the MAF was involved in five international UN missions.

Replying to Shahidan Kassim’s (Arau-PN) question about whether the government would send peacekeepers to Palestine under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Mohammad said the matter was up to the Foreign Ministry.

Mohamad also said the MAF would start acquiring new assets including 60 infantry armoured vehicles for the army, three littoral mission ships and the refit of two submarine assets for the navy, and 12 helicopters for the air force.

The defence minister said the littoral combat ship (LCS) project would continue.

“The ministry is fully focused on moving forward and ensuring the LCSs are built according to the schedule outlined in the sixth supplemental agreement signed in May,” he said. – Bernama, October 31, 2023.