Malaysia deserves a seat in UNSC, says Palestinian envoy

With its strong principle of helping Palestine and other oppressed countries, Malaysia's bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is deserving, said Palestine Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Anwar al-Agha.

"If Malaysia were to be in the UNSC, Malaysia will help us with its good relation with other countries, so it can also urge them to assist the Palestinians", he said in a recent interview with Bernama here.

Apart from willing to provide humanitarian assistance, he said there were Malaysians who had contacted the embassy to find out if they could take the Palestinians children to Malaysia.

"We wish all the best to Malaysia to move from one strength to a higher strength... you have a good and strong base here in Malaysia to be able to assist Palestine and other countries," he said of Malaysia's interest to vie for a UNSC non-permanent member seat for 2015-2016 term.

Malaysia, prior to this, had occupied the chair thrice, namely, in 1965 (sharing with Czech Republic), as well as for the 1989-1990 and 1999-2000 terms.

On Aug 3, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was reported as saying that Malaysia strongly called on the member states of the UNSC to stand united and act decisively to bring an immediate end to Israel’s blatant military aggression on the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Dr Anwar, who had just started his tour of duty in Malaysia four months ago, said the situation in Gaza was crucial with the most sophisticated weapons being used against Palestinians since the latest Israeli onslaught started on July 8.

"We have been under Israeli occupation for more than 66 years, but despite all the Israeli brutalities against civilians with 1,850 syahid (martyrs) now, we still believe we should go on with our lives.

"We hope there will be a ceasefire so people can work freely, see their houses and even go to school," he said.

The ceasefire would also enable humanitarian assistance from Malaysia, for example, to reach the besieged Gaza, he added.

Dr Anwar, who will be accompanying the Umno Welfare Bureau humanitarian aid mission to Gaza next Tuesday (Aug 12), said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had asked for the Malaysian delegation to Gaza be taken good care of.

"We hope this delegation will go very soon and we are always very keen on seeing the situation on the ground, especially myself as I'm from Gaza, so I know the situation...at least, my presence will help to facilitate," he said.

A total of 65 people comprising doctors, volunteers and journalists are ready for the mission to deliver 40 tonnes of medicine and food to the Palestinians.

Dr Anwar said the visit "would give support, make doa (pray) and provide medical equipment and food" for the Palestinians to be able to move freely back to normal life.

It would also enable the team to evaluate the situation should they need to further extend its assistance including in the rebuilding process later, he said.

Dr Anwar said the main reason of the Israeli aggression on Gaza was because the Palestinians have come together to form a national unity government.

"...Israel do not want to see this (the unity government) because they consider it as a threat to them...that is the mentality of Israel, they only think of killings, war, attacking people, creating stories," he said.