Bangkok--7 Jan--Marketwire
Editor's Note: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA, PUTRAJAYA
STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE DATO' SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA ON THE ESCALATING CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST CAUSED BY THE CONTINUING ISRAELI ATTACKS ON GAZA
On behalf of the Government and people of Malaysia, I wish to reiterate my gravest concern that Israel is continuing the bombardments against Gaza without any due regard for human lives or world public opinion.
Israel is meting out a systematic form of collective punishment upon Gaza without any consideration for innocent people or the destruction of their properties. These actions are totally immoral and in clear violation of international law. They should be condemned by all people of conscience.
The United Nations Security Council has a moral duty to stop the atrocities committed by Israel and demand a ceasefire by all sides. A failure by the UNSC to do that would escalate the crisis, endanger Palestinian unity and threaten the peace and security of the wider Middle East.
Any ground offensive into Gaza by Israel is an act of total war which the international community should not tolerate.
I note that the UN Security Council continues to fail to act on this critical matter. I therefore urge that an emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly be convened to adopt a "Uniting for Peace" resolution.
Besides that, Malaysia will continue to extend humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza within its means.
I have authorized the immediate disbursement of USD 1 million as humanitarian aid from the Government of Malaysia, which has been channeled through and will be used by MERCY Malaysia to deliver relief supplies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia has reopened its Fund for Palestine to receive and coordinate the collection of assistance from the people of Malaysia.
I am writing letters to various world leaders to request them to use their good offices and personal influence to convince Israeli leaders to stop the bombardment of Gaza and agree to a ceasefire.
Malaysia continues to hold the view that durable peace and stability for Gaza can only be secured through peaceful negotiations.
Contacts:
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Teoh Ai Hua
+603 8888 1983