As of November, Datuk Mohamad Alamin revealed that approximately RM32.7 million has been credited to the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP).
In the first half of 2023, USD80,000.00 (RM3.75 million) has been distributed through several channels, including the Ministry of Waqf and Islamic Affairs of Jordan, the Malaysian Embassy in Jordan, and the Palestinian Ministry of Education, said the Deputy Foreign Minister. In a parliamentary written reply to Dr Mohamed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani), he also mentioned that RM200,000 has been handed over to the Global Peace Mission NGO for development in Gaza, Palestine.
Mohamad Alamin mentioned that Malaysia increased the aid channel through AAKRP when the Israel-Palestine conflict erupted on Oct 7. He also stated that an initial contribution of RM10 million was decided to be allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) at the second meeting of the AAKRP Account Committee in 2023. The contribution aims to assist the severely-affected people of Gaza due to Israeli attacks.
According to Mohamad Alamin, the total amount credited to AAKRP as of November 13, 2023, is RM32,755,857.08. This was in response to Mohamed Taufiq’s request for the amount of aid allocated to the Palestinian government since the formation of the Federal Government to aid the burden faced by the Palestinian people.
The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that in line with Malaysia’s foreign policy, the country will consistently provide strong support to the Government of Palestine and its people under any circumstances. He stated that Malaysia’s unwavering support covers political, economic, financial aid, and capacity development, including infrastructure reconstruction.
Mohamad added that the contributions and assistance from the Malaysian Government are channeled through various means, whether bilaterally, regionally, or through multiple channels. He expressed gratitude for how Malaysia’s contributions have continuously assisted the people of Palestine.
Aside from government aid, Malaysia also contributes to humanitarian efforts through funds collected from public donations. Mohamad explained that since 2002, the AAKRP has been overseen by Wisma Putra, established under subsection 9(1) of the Financial Procedure Act 1957. He mentioned that the aim of the fund is to collect and coordinate all humanitarian contributions from the Malaysian people to the Palestinians and subsequently distribute these contributions through methods deemed appropriate by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On a separate note, fighting has continued at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Thursday, while the UN Human Rights office has warned of fuel depletion in Gaza. Hospitals are protected in times of war under international humanitarian law, but Israel had continued with its attack at the medical facility.
