PETALING JAYA: A Sarawak cabinet member said matters concerning the acceptance of Palestinian refugees must first be decided by the federal government.
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was commenting on activists and NGO heads who expressed concern that radicals could enter the country if Sabah and Sarawak fail to exercise autonomy over their borders.
“There is no need to jump the gun. The federal government has yet to make a decision but there are already NGOs commenting. Who are you?
“Wait for the prime minister to announce the decision. Don’t jump the gun,” the Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister said at a press conference.
Meanwhile, Karim also said ministers should not be influenced by unreasonable NGO views and should instead follow existing protocols.
“If the federal government has made a decision, then we can give our views. But since the federal government has not decided on this matter, there is no need to comment on what NGOs have said,” he said.
On Monday, works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi voiced strong support for Sarawak activists and NGOs opposed to accepting Palestinian refugees into the state, due to fears of a radical minority that may unsettle the local population.
Karim also said Malaysia always sympathised with those who are victims of war, citing Vietnam and Bosnia-Herzegovina as examples. - FMT
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