MALAYSIA will continue to help its Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine and Myanmar, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.

He said Muslims in Malaysia, as well as those in other countries, must unite to end the suffering and oppression faced by Muslims in the two countries.

“May Allah unite our hearts and continuously shower us with blessings of peace and stability on Malaysian soil, so that we can continue to use our influence as a model Islamic country to defend Muslims who are oppressed, wherever in the world, Insyaallah,” he said on his blog today.

He said throughout last year, Malaysia was blessed, remaining prosperous, peaceful and harmonious, as well as continued to be a model Islamic country that was influential and vocal in defending Islam and Muslims worldwide.

On the Jerusalem issue, he said Malaysia strongly condemned and would never support the US move to declare it as the Israeli capital.

“I have stressed this matter repeatedly, at the Umno general assembly, the extraordinary summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, and also at the Save Jerusalem solidarity rally.”

Najib said the suffering faced by Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar affected Malaysian Muslims, and that the country had raised the matter at the global level.

He said Malaysia continued to provide aid to ease the suffering of the ethnic minority, and had sent funds and items to refugees who fled to Bangladesh.

“In February last year, Malaysia, through Yayasan Ikhlas, sent RM172,500, via a Bangladeshi organisation, for Rohingya refugees staying at the Kutupalong and Balukhali camps.

“In September, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi coordinated the sending of humanitarian aid, worth RM4 million, comprising goods and equipment, for refugees at the Bangladeshi border.”

He said other forms of help given to the Rohingya included 12 tonnes of food and essential items, such as disposable napkins, towels, rice and biscuits, sent to Bangladeshi camps via a humanitarian aid mission by the armed forces, Prime Minister’s Office and iM4U voluntary organisation. – Bernama, January 1, 2018.