Bringing Palestinians to Malaysia an act of compassion and kindness

 

From 150 organisations and individuals

We, the undersigned organisations and individuals, are gravely concerned with the reaction of some members of the public to the government’s decision to bring 127 Palestinian refugees to Malaysia for medical aid.

These refugees comprise 41 chronically ill patients and 86 of their immediate family members. They have gone through the horrors of the bombing and deprivation in Gaza and suffered through unimaginable trauma. Some also have severe physical injuries.

It has been reported that the ongoing genocide in Gaza has surpassed 40,000 deaths with thousands more injured and displaced.

As a responsible member of the international community, Malaysia has a moral and legal obligation to do all in its power and capacity to assist innocent civilians in conflict areas.

In fact, we feel that the government can and should do more to help Palestinian refugees.

It is, therefore, disheartening to see the negative reaction by some Malaysians on the decision by the government to provide some small reprieve from the ongoing genocide and destruction of their homes to these Palestinian refugees.

The Palestinians, who have been brought here, are only a small number compared to the ones still facing death and destruction in their homeland.

We urge all Malaysians to put aside their prejudices and to see this for what it is: a humanitarian issue.

There is a moral imperative that we must act with compassion towards our fellow human beings who suffer due to no fault of their own and who are in our country.

This transcends all our differences because it recognises the right of every human being to live in dignity and free from fear.

We also call upon the government to take steps to recognise the rights of all refugees who are here in the country, not just the Palestinians.

We stand by all people who have been displaced from their homelands by conflict. - FMT

This statement was endorsed by six political party leaders, 38 civil society groups and 106 individuals.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.