Malaysia renews US$1mil pledge to UN agency for Palestinian refugees

 Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan urges other countries to step up funding for UNRWA as Malaysia renews its five-year commitment.

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said predictable funding is vital for UNRWA to continue helping Palestinian refugees. (AFP pic)

NEW YORK CITY:

Malaysia has renewed its commitment of US$1 million (RM4.08 million) to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees for 2026-2030, maintaining the same five-year pledge made for the previous period.

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia had contributed about US$6.7 million (RM27.4 million) to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) over the past five years.

He urged other member states “in a position to do so” to increase their support for UNRWA, saying sustained and predictable funding was essential for the agency to fulfil its mandate.

“Across the region, the agency (UNRWA) continues to provide essential assistance, protection and services to millions of Palestine refugees.

“It is a lifeline that must be allowed to operate without obstruction,” he said at the Ministerial Meeting in Support of UNRWA on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.

Malaysia has been a regular contributor to UNRWA since 1978. It made its first stated five-year commitment of US$1 million for 2021-2025, but significantly increased its support following the outbreak of the Gaza war, contributing more than US$6 million to the agency since November 2023.

Mohamad also used the same platform to condemn Israel’s incursion into and seizure of the Qalandia Training Centre, saying UN premises were inviolable and their privileges and immunities must be respected.

He called on the Security Council to implement existing UN resolutions on Palestine, and said international law, the UN Charter and rulings of the International Court of Justice “must be upheld”. - FMT