PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the cordial relations between Malaysia and Egypt enabled humanitarian aid to be sent to Palestinians. 

He said this was proven by Eqyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s help in facilitating delivery of humanitarian aid from Malaysia. 

“In the meeting with (the president of Egypt), his sentiment was good, and I requested him to give priority to humanitarian aid from Malaysia. 

“Alhamdulillah, he (Abdel Fattah) kept his promise. Our aircraft arrived among the fastest and was allowed to cross the border… that’s why bilateral relations need to be improved,” he said, speaking at a staff gathering today. 

On Saturday, the 9M-WCA cargo plane carrying the first shipment of Malaysian humanitarian aid for Palestine through Ops Ihsan landed safely at El-Arish Military Airport in Egypt. 

Twenty tonnes of assistance in the form of medical items, baby products, and food were handed over to representatives of the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to be brought into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. 

Ops Ihsan was mobilised by the Malaysia Humanitarian Aid and Relief, Global Peace Mission Malaysia, Red A Humanitarian Development Global, Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor, BeVital, and Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia as the main coordinator besides 38 other civil society organisations. 

Anwar said the war in Palestine was getting worse with no signs that Israel would stop its attacks. 

He said discussions with the leaders of the Arab world should be held immediately. 

He added that developments in the western world regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict showed positive signs because the issue in Gaza had never been discussed openly before. 

“There are huge gatherings and demonstrations in Europe,” he said and stressed the need for the international community to call for ceasefire in Palestine.          

Anwar said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also supported the stand to stop attacks in Palestine. 

“He (Rutte) is aware that two-thirds (of the Dutch people) sympathise with Palestine, and I have also asked to convey Malaysia’s views to the European leader,” he said. 

Israel’s latest war with Hamas has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. – Bernama, November 6, 2023.